THE VIOXORIAN NATURAMST. 119 



monster cat and an eaglehawk for a spinifex rat, but being in a 

 hurry I could not stop to see how it ended, but should be 

 disposed to think the cat had the best of it. Whether they will 

 continue to increase in size until they become a large and 

 formidable animal I cannot say, but I do know that even 

 at present I would much rather avoid than enter into a contest 

 with one. 



Of aquatic birds there are plenty of pelicans and ducks, and 

 a few black swans. Other birds are numerous, such as turkeys, 

 cockatoos, pigeons, etc. Of the cockatoos there are several 

 species, some being white and having no crest, while others are 

 black. Of pigeons there are what are called plain, and which 

 can often be seen in flocks of a thousand, also the bronze wing 

 and a whistling pigeon. There is also a very small and pretty 

 partridge. This is very numerous all over the plains, and, 

 indeed, so common is it that it may frequently be seen in 

 numbers even in the townships. 



Turkeys are caught by building a yard round a waterhole. 

 The natives then scoop out a hole just sufficiently large for the 

 turkey to get a drink, and then put sticks in front and a net 

 over them. To hide themselves they build a shelter in the 

 spinifex, from which as soon as the turkey comes to drink they 

 rush out and knock it over with a stick, or wogga burra, as 

 they call it, but you will easily understand they have to be 

 pretty quick about it. 



Pigeons are caught much in the same way, but no sticks are 

 used. In the Kimberley the plan adopted is to cut a lane 

 through the scrub to the water. Down this lane the pigeons 

 are sure to come in the evening, and the natives, being con- 

 cealed in the scrub at the sides, knock them down with sticks, 

 but this plan not only requires a deal of patience, but a 

 quick eye and quick action. I must not omit from my list 

 of birds the common crow, as I have a respect for him, from an 

 eating point of view, which I do not think he possesses in 

 Victoria. They are numerous enough, and I can assure you 

 make a better and sweeter meal than many a bird with a much 

 higher reputation. I, of course, do not refer to the crow after 

 he has become civilised by station life, but whilst he is still an 

 innocent bush bird, living principally on seeds and fruits, of 

 which the nalgo is his favourite, and at the time of the year 

 when these are plentiful the flesh is very delicate, with a most 

 pleasant flavour. The nalgo"^" is a small bulb, not quite so large 

 as a common pea, and after a rainy season it is very abundant. 



Of the many roots eaten by the natives, some are very good 

 indeed, as I know by experience, but unfortunately I know only 

 the native names, which would, of course, convey no information 

 to you. Kanjamurrah is the name of one. It is a root of about 

 nine or ten inches long, and tastes something not unlik e a 



* Marsilea. — ^Ed. 



