THE BELL-BIBD: 143 



parched and arid plains in the summer, gladly hears 

 the " ching-ching " of the Bell-Urd from the tea-tree 

 scrub ; for this is a sure and welcome omen that water 

 is at hand. One of the greatest drawbacks from the 

 pleasure of travelling through this country in the hot 

 weather is the want of water. I have often walked for 

 hours under a burning summer's sun without coming to 

 a creek or water-hole ; and of all the pangs to endure, 

 those of thirst are the most intolerable. A man need 

 never starve in the bush, but I have no doubt many have 

 died for want of water here. Most of the creeks and 

 water-holes lie so hidden in scrub and timber, that they 

 are often passed by unnoticed ; and often when we do 

 come upon water, it is thick and muddy, and lukewarm 

 from the rays of the sun. " But those who are parched 

 with thirst do not stop to analyze the water. In tropical 

 countries there is always tropical zest as well as tropical 

 flavour." I always carried one of Hall's empty pound 

 powder-canisters in my pocket, which I filled when I 

 came to clear water ; and from their shape and size 

 these make the best water-flasks I know. 



The bell-bird is about the size of the honey-eater, but 

 much stouter made ; the beak is very thick and power- 

 ful, and there is a red cere between it and the eye, which 

 is red : the whole plumage is uniform greenish yellow. 

 It is nowhere a very common bird, and is always met 

 with iu small colonies, in secluded places, by the side of 

 creeks or water-holes, where large gum-trees are growing, 

 from which they are continually flying up and down into 



