MORGAN— Birds on the River Murray. 99 



Birds on the River Hurray. 



By A. M. Morgan, M.B., Ch. B. 



This trip was not undertaken, in the first nlace. for orni- 

 thological purposes, but as a considerable amount of bird 

 observation and a little collecting was done, I think the results 

 are worth recording. 



My wife and I left Morgan on March 31st, at 6 p.m., in the 

 Gem Company's river boat "Ruby", calling at Cobdogla, 

 Moorook, Pyap, and Loxton on April 1st, and reaching Ren- 

 mark on the morning of April 2nd. That day was the most 

 interesting of the trip, for the river between Renmark and the 

 border is but little settled, and water fowl were numerous. 

 April 3rd was spent between the border and Wentworth, and 

 April 4th at Maldura. From Mildura we returned to Renmark 

 by the boat reaching that town early on Good Friday morning. 

 A week was spent at Renmark at the excellent hotel. Our 

 days being occupied in exploring the surrounding country 

 under the guidance of Mr. Herbert Shields, who kindly gave 

 up much of his time in assisting us. Renmark was left on 

 April 7th by motor for the four and a half hours' run to 

 Morgan through the mallee scrub. I may say that we found 

 the river boat very comfortable, with good food, and a most 

 obliging staff. It is also very gratifying to be able to state 

 that shooting from the Gem Co. boats has been absolutely 

 stopped. Formerly much useless slaughter took place from 

 these boats, both protected and unprotected birds, none of 

 which were, of course, recovered. I am sorry to say not a 

 single emu was seen upon the trip. He heard that they are be- 

 coming very scarce near the river frontage, though a few are 

 still to be found further back. The mallee hen we also heard 

 spoken of as rare, though formerly the mallee scrub of this 

 district was one of their strongholds, we saw nothing of it. 



As most of the birds observed were identified with the 

 field glasses, the suftspecific name is given only when it had 

 been previously ascertained, or when a specimen was ob- 

 tained. Even then it is usually not possible to identifv the 

 sub species from Mr. Mathews' meagre descriptions/ 96 

 species in all were identified. 



Birds observed: — 



Geopelia placida tranquilla (The Peaceful Dove) — Common 

 near the river banks throughout the trip. , 



