CHAPTER V. 

 THROUGH THE BIG SWAMPS 



MY first experience of wading was gained k>ng 

 ago, at King Swamp, near Melbourne. Three 

 ardent ornithologists planned a trip, hoping to 

 collect eggs of the Coot [Fulica australis], the Reed- 

 Warbler \_Acrocephalus dusty-alls'] and the Grass-Bird 

 [Megalurus grammeus] , and persuaded me to accom- 

 pany them. We drove from the nearest railway 

 station to the broad sheet of water, which lay in a hol- 

 low surrounded by cultivated land. Donning old 

 clothes and heavy-soled boots, we entered the cold water 

 and started to explore the reed beds, which were dotted 

 about like islets. Soft black mud sucked at our feet, 

 pollen from flowering rushes filled our nostrils, and 

 around our heads midges danced in millions. Every 

 few minutes one of us stepped into a deep hole and 

 water rose to the armpits. These mishaps were 

 taken as part of the game, and we did not worry over 

 the minor discomforts. 



The reeds were crowded with Warblers, which 

 sang blithely, and numbers of their pannier-shaped 

 nests were found, fastened to reed stems. Nests of 

 the Grass-Bird were not so numerous. One, among 

 the rushes, contained a full clutch of four eggs, of a 

 pinkish-white colour, freckled with red-brown. The 

 birds were rarely seen; they are shy, mysterious 

 little creatures, and their mournful notes are in har- 

 mony with the lonely places where they nest. The 

 Reed-Warbler's song is rich and sweet ; one can listen 

 to it for hours without tiring, whereas the Grass- 

 Bird's monotone soon becomes wearisome. At King 

 Swamp we heard the two species singing in chorus, 

 and the effect was rather pleasing. 



