102 IN AUSTRALIAN WILDS 



\_Phalacrocorax hypoleucus], the Little Pied Cormor- 

 ant [P. melanoleucus] , and the Little Black Cor- 

 morant \_P. sulcirostris']. Among the highest 

 branches there were several nests of the Australian 

 Darter or Snake-Bird [Plotus novte-hollandise]. As 

 we approached the rookery, the birds rose in a cloud, 

 and for a minute circled over the tree, then, each 

 species forming a separate flock, they flew to the 

 other side of the lake. Soon after we left the tree 

 the birds returned, and settled, with ruffled feelings 

 no doubt, among their nests again. 



Early in the afternoon, we landed on an islet. 

 While the billy boiled, I started to place fresh plates 

 in the dark-slides. But the mosquitoes were so 

 numerous and voracious that I was compelled to 

 suspend operations until my companions had lit a 

 score of gumleaf fires. Encircled by fires and en- 

 veloped in pungent smoke, I was able to keep my 

 hands in the changing-bag with impunity. But the 

 mosquitoes were lurking just outside the charmed 

 circle, and we were thankful to leave the islet after a 

 hasty meal. 



We cruised about the lake till sundown, when 

 the water was patterned with purple shadows and 

 flushed with scarlet and gold. The wind began to 

 rise, clouds gathered in the west, and as we paddled 

 down Cantalla Creek the signs of storm multiplied. 

 But my memory of the Mallee lake is serene and beau- 

 tiful : sunlit water, gray gum trees, and a host of happy 

 wild birds. 



