122 White, North Australian Birds. \ 



Emu 



15th Jan. 



poor, being covered with low, tangled, thorny scrub. An out- 

 crop of limestone carried a few wattles and other trees, Sphecotheres 

 flaviventris, Chibia hracteata, and Dacelo cervina being the only 

 fresh birds noted. A small flock of Sterna melananchen was seen 

 about the rocks in the bay. 



Some trouble was experienced in rounding Cape Arnhem, the 

 most north-eastern point of the Northern Territory, and it was 

 not until the afternoon of the 4th September that Inglis Island, 

 on the north coast (the Gulf of Carpentaria had now been quitted), 

 was reached. Here a number of natives was seen on the beach, 

 but they cleared of^ as soon as they sighted the exploring party. 



At sunset on the 5th anchor was cast some 16 miles down 

 Caddel Strait. Smokes of several fires were visible on Elcho Island, 

 but no natives appeared. The following day hundreds of migratory 

 birds (Waders) were observed on the mud-banks along the shores 

 of the strait ; they were chiefly Curlews, Whimbrels, Little 

 Whimbrels, Greenshanks, and Little Stints. A few Tadorna 

 rufitergum, Ibis molucca, Herodias timoriensis, and Garzetta 

 nigripes were also seen, besides a large flock of Sterna melanauchen. 

 In the evening the Goyder River was entered. Coming to an 

 anchorage about 6 miles up the river, an Ardea sumatrana was 

 flushed from the mouth of a small creek, and Rails were heard 

 calling after dusk in the mangroves. During exploration next 

 morning four natives came up the river in a canoe. None spoke 

 English, and it could not be ascertained where fresh water existed. 

 However, a start was made up stream. At about three miles 

 the mangroves on both sides of the river were covei^ed with 

 flying foxes, which rose as the party passed, formed a dense cloud, 

 and flew ahead of the boat. A number of Sea-Eagles and 

 Whistling-Eagles flew among the animals, but the birds did not 

 attempt to catch any. Black Butcher-Birds were calling, and 

 a few Waders were noted. The river was ascended for about 

 17 miles from its mouth. Here a low ridge of cypress pine came 

 in on the right bank. 



On the 8th the right bank and inland for a couple of miles was 

 examined. Country consisted of very poor, shaly sr.ndstone 

 ridges covered with cypress and other trees and low brus!% while 

 narrow, sandy flats supported stunted paper-barks, wattle, and 

 brush. The opposite side of the stream appeared to be a vast 

 mangrove swamp. Very few birds were observed. A return 

 was made to the first night's anchorage when entering the river. 

 Just prior to sunset several flocks of Nutmeg-Pigeons were seen 

 flying across the river, evidently heading for the mangroves at 

 the mouth. At the mouth of the river a natives' camp was 

 visited, but no good water found. 



On the 9th sail was set for Glyde River, about 6 miles further 

 west, which was reached by sunset. By direction of two natives 

 good water was found in a small pool covered with a dense growth 

 of cane, vines, and other vegetation in an open space in the man- 

 groves, a few yards from th; river. The following day the cutter's 



