nA Jackson, Haunts of the Spotted Bower-Bird. [isf "o'ct. 



species since my arrival here. Numerous small coftee-coloured gecko 

 lizards about the bush ; these harmless little things belong to the family 

 Geckomdce, and are eaten by the Hawks. About the camp there is a 

 quantity of dead and leafless ringbarked timber, and it is not easy to detect 

 the Emus when they are standing amongst the dead timber, owing to their 

 similarity in colouring. Heard some wild Ducks splashing and calling out 

 in the sheep-tank after dark, probably Black Duck {A/ias SKperciliosa). 



2gt]t September. — Went northwards, and saw several Emus. Saw many 

 poisoned rabbits lying about in the sandy parts of the bush. Walked south 

 later for a visit to No. 3 bower, and saw a Bower-Bird there ; it flew to the 

 play-ground and placed therein a piece of bleached Emu egg-shell ; the bird 

 had a small lilac patch on its nape. In the passage-way was a heap of 30 

 or 40 green seed-pods of the cypress pine {Callitris robusta., R. Br.) Only 

 one bird noticed at or near this bower. Among the additions to the 

 decorations of this bovver since last visit, was the small claw of a fresh- 

 water lobster or crayfish {C/ieraps bicariiiaiiis)., much bleached. The bird 

 flew into a dead coolibah near and cried out loudly a few times, and then 

 returned to the bower. I kept myself in hiding, and watched from 10 a.m. 

 until noon, and the bird kept flying into dead trees about and then back to 

 the bower. Moving on, every likely tree for a nest was examined, but no 

 trace of one was seen. Saw the Black-backed Wrens amongst the 

 salt-bush, about 100 yards from No. 3 bower. They were feeding three 

 short-tailed young ones, and made a great fuss as I approached, fluttering 

 all over the ground as if wounded. Saw numbers of Chestnut-eared Finches 

 {Tcpfuopyoici castanotis) feeding on the ground under a budda tree i^Erc- 

 mophila mitcheUi, Benth.) Just here saw a large blue-tongued lizard, 

 known in these parts as a "scaly-back" {Ttachysaurus riigostis). The 

 back has large scales which resemble the skin of a pine-apple : Hawks and 

 Eagles capture these lizards. Passed several beautiful gruie or Emu apple 

 trees {Oivc7iia addula, F. v. M.), the leaf of which is somewhat like that of 

 the introduced pepper tree (Schinns /nolle, Linn.) Bush mice have played 

 havoc in the flour bag at camp. 



joth September. — Bower-Birds at camp early this morning, but only one 

 was noticed at No. i bower during the day, and it would fly or hop up into 

 the wilga tree over the play-ground and there preen its feathers for about 

 half an hour. A visit would then be made to the bower, and various fallen 

 leaves would be thrown out, after which it would return to its tree again and 

 there sit cleaning itself, or fly over to my camp and return with an empty 

 cartridge case or other trifle for the play-ground. At last it flew to the top 

 of a dead coolibah tree and called loudly " Kar-r-r-r-r " three times, then 

 afterwards flew in a direct line north-east, and in an undulating flight but a 

 straight line towards Cambo Cambo homestead. A visit was made to the 

 bower and I found seven of the long green cigar-shaped pods of the native 

 silk-vine {Marsde/u'a leicJihardtinnn, F. v. M.) in the passage-way. Noticed 

 many 'SV\x\tr?,{M}'za7ithagarri/ln) about. Laughing Jackasses (Dacelogigas) 

 are scarce. Came across Grey Struthideas building their mud nest in a 

 white-wood tree {Atnlnya heJiu'glauca, F. v. M.) near the clay sheep-tank. 

 Noticed dead fresh-water shells {Physa) at a hollow and cracked part 

 to-day that at one time evidently held water ; these shells, which when alive 

 are frequently eaten by water-fowl, are said to be often the intermediate host 

 of the fluke. Visted No. 3 bower, and' only one bird, with a lilac nape, 

 was there. 



1st October.— Nothing to note. 



2fid October. — Walked round to the northern end of the plain, west of 

 camp, and, still going north, met with another large plain. Struck a bore 

 drain at the boundary of Cambo Cambo and Goondoobluie stations ; the 

 drain was about 6 feet across and 18 inches deep, and travelled over the flat 

 country, watering sheep. Sec, for miles. Came across a solitary Black- 



