146 



IN AUSTRALIAN WILDS 



again after flying only a few yards. Evidently they 

 were not much alarmed. As they rose, the sun 

 gleamed on green plumage, barred with yellow and 

 black. Swamp-Hawks were numerous and bold; 

 eleven were perched in one tree, but groups of two or 

 three birds were usual. Several Hawks were flying 



ON PELICAN ISLAND 



lazily over the lake, close to the cliffs. We out- 

 spanned on Policeman's Point, a picturesque head- 

 land with a patch of scrub spreading down one slope 

 to the water's edge. The boundary rider had gal- 

 loped ahead to Salt Creek in search of a boat, and we 

 awaited the result of his mission. While we sat 

 quietly on a boulder, eagerly scanning the lake, a Fox 

 emerged from the scrub and trotted towards us. He 

 stopped once or twice and sniffed the air, but even- 

 tually passed within a dozen yards of our seat. Before 

 disappearing he turned, looked at us intently, and 



