GIPPSLAND WILDS 49 



Next day the sky was clearer, and there were 

 "puffs of sunshine." We journeyed to the ranger's 

 home, on the Darby River, where two young Emus 

 [Dromaius Novte-hollandse] were seen, feeding quietly 

 inside the boundary fence. They were rather shy of 

 strangers, but took dainties from the ranger's hand. 

 Kangaroos, Wallabies, Phalangers, Lyre-Birds, and 

 other animals are released in the Park from time to 

 time, and it is now fairly well stocked. Most of the 

 animals do well. 



In the afternoon we climbed to the summit of a 

 lofty hill, overlooking the sea. Huge granite boulders 

 were scattered among Eucalypts and She-oaks 

 [Casuarina] , reminding one of Stonehenge. Koalas 

 were numerous on this windy height; nearly every 

 gum tree contained specimens. Two young "Bears" 

 were photographed. One vigorous little fellow res- 

 ented capture, and left claw marks on the Doctor's 

 hands. At one time, we learned, Koalas were so 

 plentiful on Wilson's Promontory that thousands were 

 killed each year by trappers. On the way to the 

 beach we passed through lightly timbered areas, and 

 saw flocks of Pennant's Parrakeet [Platycercus 

 elegans], whose blue and crimson plumage gleamed 

 among the dark foliage. Several Wallabies were 

 startled from their resting pfeces, and went pounding 

 down the hillside. One large specimen sprang up 

 almost under my feet; we were both startled, but the 

 Wallaby recovered first, and was out of sight in a 

 minute. 



Wilson's Promontory may become the last refuge 

 of many species of native animals, and therefore the 

 Mecca of Victorian naturalists. The flora, also, is of 

 much interest, hundreds of species having been re- 

 corded. 



***** 



A rare and beautiful bird, the Helmeted Honey- 

 eater [Ptilotis cassidix] was the object of a quest that 



