124 Whitb., North Australian Birds. I i th Ian 



water, and he pointed to a spot a couple of miles further up the river 

 (Liverpool). New and I proceeded in the dinghy to look at the spot. 

 The well was in the middle of a dry paper-back swamp at the edge 

 of the mangroves, but the water was very foul and not fit to drink. 

 Made a start with the tide and a light but favourable breeze. 

 Anchored at 4 p.m. The banks of the river are very low, and clothed 

 with a dense growth of mangroves ; an open salt-pan runs right back 

 to a low ridge i\ miles away. ■ The following birds were seen along 

 the river : — Ardea sumatrana, Herodias timoriensis, Garzetta nigripes, 

 Butorides stagnatilis, Tadorna rufitergum, Dendrocygna eyioni, 

 Eupodotis australis, Haliastur sphenurus, Haliaetus leucogaster, 

 Cacatua sanguinea, Grallina picata, Geopelia humeralis, Myrisiicivora 

 spilorrhoa, Piezorhynchus nitidus, Pcecilodryas pulverulentus , Stigmatops 

 ocularis, and Myzomela erythrocephala. Went on shore along the 

 edge of the mangroves for half a mile. A flock of Burhinus grallarius 

 was flushed ; Rhipidura tricolor and Stigmatops ocularis were the 

 only other birds seen here. Returned along the foot of the ridge to 

 the boat. A single Anthus australis was seen on the salt-pan, and a 

 couple of Cacatua galerita noted in some paper-barks at the foot of 

 the ridge. 



20/9/15. — Made a start with the sweeps about an hour after sun- 

 rise, against the tide till 10 a.m. ; then we got a light breeze, hoisted 

 the sail, and got along easier. Higher country comes in on the left 

 bank, but there was no sign of fresh water. Anchored again an hour 

 before sunset. New and I went a little further in the dinghy. A flock 

 of Anseranus semipalmata flew across the river. About a dozen 

 natives came running out of the mangroves, evidently scared by the 

 report of the gun. They caught sight of me in the dinghy and changed 

 their direction. I held up my hand and called, and they stopped. 

 After a while a couple came up. I made signs that I wanted fresh 

 water, and they led me to a shallow lagoon about a quarter of a mile 

 from the river, but the water was very brackish and weedy. 



21/9/15. — Went ashore to explore. A native that could speak 

 a little English was with the others this morning. He told me that 

 there was good fresh water further up the river, but I could not 

 ascertain how far. Went inland for a couple of miles. Country 

 low-lying, mostly dry swamps and billabongs surrounded with paper- 

 barks ; appears to be all under water during the wet season. 

 Haliastur sphenurus, Corvus coronoides, Grallina picata, Coracina 

 robusta, Rhipidura tricolor, Microeca flaviventris , Stigmatops ocularis, 

 Melithreptus albigularis , Glyciphila fas data, M crops ornatus, Cacatua 

 galerita, C. sanguinea, C. roseicapilla, Geopelia humeralis, and G. 

 placida were noted. On a brackish lagoon near the river a few 

 Nettopus pulchellus, a couple each of Anseranas semipalm,ata and 

 Dendrocygna eytoni, a few Parr a gallinacea, Herodias timoriensis, and 

 Notophoyx novce-hollandics were seen. Struck the natives' camp on 

 returning to boat ; got spears in exchange for tobacco, wire, and nails. 

 Our boat proceeded further up the river. Progress very slow, as 

 innumerable snags and sand-banks are met with. Anchor at dark 

 about 6 miles further on. No suitable camping-place to be found ; 

 banks of the river only a few inches above high water mark. Man- 

 groves are here replaced by paper-barks and other trees, mostly 

 covered with vines and other creeping plants. A few fresh birds 

 were seen — Oriolus flavicinctus , Chibia bracteata, Lalage leucomelcena. 



