1^2 Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union. [ist Jan. 



about a foot in height. A Pied Oyster-catcher's nest contained 

 three eggs. 



On Saturday a second visit was paid to the jungle on the Dowell 

 River, and on Sunday a whoJe-day trip enabled the party to reach 

 the New South Wales border on the Wallagaraugh River, the 

 easterly branch that meets the Genoa River above Gipsy Point. 

 The day was hot, the party large, and the motor boat was slow. 

 Much likely country, clothed with fine timber, was seen, but its 

 exploration had to be deferred. Mr Dorron, our guide, reported 

 that Pittas were fairly common for part of the year in this country. 

 This is interesting, for that bird has not been recorded from Vic- 

 toria. Our thanks are due to Mr. Baker, head teacher of the Malla- 

 coota School, for conveying the parties in his launch on these trips. 



It was noteworthy that no member of the group of Rail-like birds 

 (Ralliformes) was seen by any member of the party. The 

 locality is ideal for such birds, and we were assured they were 

 very common for most of the year. They leave the Inlet to breed 

 in fresh-water swamps. We did not discover any breeding-places, 

 but doubtless further search will reveal many. The Swans, so 

 numerous on the Inlet, do not breed there. We saw a few broods 

 of small cygnets following the parent birds. Many of the Swans 

 were moulting, and could not fly. 



Monday was devoted to concluding investigations, securing 

 photographs, and packing up for the homeward journey. During 

 the afternoon a party with the heavy luggage had an ex- 

 citing time in a falling tide on the bar, but caused less worry 

 to those at home, for the leader was able, after a time, to land 

 and telephone that we were delayed until the tide rose. This 

 occasion will be long remembered by all the party. The pluck, 

 resource, and skill of Mr. Tom Hall, a Mallacoota fisherman, saved 

 a probable disaster. Mr. George Phillips, a yachtsman, of our 

 party, rendered valuable assistance, while Mr. Cutler placed all 

 under a debt of gratitude by his strenuous and successful efforts 

 to repair the disabled engine before the tide turned. 



On 23rd November, Boat Harbour was reached in time. 

 A good sea was running, and the Wyrallah waiting. The 

 crew assisted passengers on board the boats, and an unpleasant 

 climb on the swinging rope ladder brought us to the last 

 stage of a trip full of interest and incident. Albatrosses gave a 

 fine exhibition of flying. Skuas in many phases of plumage. 

 Short-tailed Petrels (Mutton-Birds), Giant Petrels, Silver Gulls, 

 and Gannets were about the ship in considerable numbers. An 

 easterly breeze assisted us along the Victorian coast, and in 

 10 hours we were off the Lakes' Entrance, only to find that the 

 tide was unfavourable, and that we must he off until midnight. 



On Wednesday the Lakes steamer Dargo was boarded, and the 

 beauties of 70 miles of lake and river were enjoyed. Taking train 

 at Sale, Melbourne was reached in due course. Thus ended one of 

 the most successful of the fourteen annual ornithological expedi- 

 tions of the R.A.O.U. 



