184 IN AUSTRALIAN WILDS. 



Some of the trees supported clumps of Staghorn- 

 Fern [Platy cerium], and lovely clusters of orchids 

 were seen. Green rushes marked little creeks, which 

 issued from the jungle the heart of darkness while 

 quiet backwaters were splendid with blue lily flowers. 

 Here and there the forest gave place to canefields, and 

 small cottages began to appear as we approached our 

 destination. Just below Tumbulgum two Kanaka 

 children, nearly naked, were paddling a canoe along 

 the bank. We reached the township early in the 

 afternoon, and our advent caused some excitement 

 among a section of the residents. A pile of lug- 

 gage, portmanteaux, collecting cases, and so forth, 

 strengthened the belief that we were an itinerant 

 theatrical company. 



"What are you going to play?" asked a lounger. 

 "One of them bloodthirsty pieces?" We assured him 

 that we were only humble naturalists, and he looked 

 disappointed. But ere we left Tumbulgum "Bill" had 

 become a firm friend, and we parted with mutual 

 regret. 



Our luggage was carried to the hotel by instal- 

 ments, the only vehicle available being a wheelbarrow. 

 We had comfortable quarters, and the host studied 

 our needs in a commendable manner. Observing 

 began after tea, when we strolled along the river bank, 

 smoking, and at peace with all the world. Fruit Bats 

 [Pteropus sp.~\, or Flying-Foxes as they are popularly 

 termed, were feeding in a big Moreton Bay Fig; a 

 noisy, quarrelsome dinner party, entirely lacking in 

 table manners. They wasted more than they ate, for 

 every moment figs with only tiny pieces nibbled out 

 dropped to earth. Standing under the old tree, we 

 saw many bats climbing among the branches, while 

 others were hanging by their claws, head downward, 

 eating fruit greedily. The restless ones squabbled 

 and uttered curious chirping notes. A specimen shot 

 for museum purposes proved to be a female, with a 



