BIRDS AND FISHES. 313 



No high land presented itself in any direction, 

 and the eye was only relieved by the growth of trees 

 and shrubs that marked the line of the water-courses, 

 the natural drains of the country, which had formed 

 deep channels through the banks. The gum-trees, 

 near the river, were of considerable size, though 

 small on the plains. A light kind of mould of 

 great depth, without a particle of stone of any 

 kind, was the character of the soil. 



One of the boats tried the hooks and lines during 

 our rambles over the country, and from the number 

 of cat-fish and a dark kind of bream that was cauijht, 

 we are enabled to state that this part of the Albert 

 abounds with them. Besides quails, pigeons and 

 a beautiful finch, before seen on the Victoria, are to 

 be numbered among the land birds. Those of the 

 water consisted of large brown, and small grey ducks, 

 spoon-bills, black and white geese, and a dark 

 blue kind of rail, bearing a great resemblance to 

 the English moor-fowl, that afforded us excellent 

 sport, as they flew out in great numbers from the 

 long flags that border the banks on the upper part 

 of Hope Reach. We did not see any black swans, 

 neither were they noticed by us on the north-west 

 coast. I, myself, believe they are not to be found 

 to the northward of lat. 27° 0' S. This part of the 

 river is subject to a tidal influence, producing a 

 slight rise, which takes place about four hours after 

 the time of high water at the mouth. 



In our eagerness to proceed we moved off rapidly 

 up the river, after a hasty meal. All beyond was 



