710 



was more or less covered by large bushes, up to 8 or 10 feet 

 high, of a prickly plant, Chenopodiujn nitrareum. This was 

 the home of the "White-winged Wren" (Hallornis cyanotus), 

 also that sweet songster, the "Redthroat" (Pyrrholaemus 

 hrunneus). This was the furthest west we m.et with the 

 "Banded Whiteface." This is no doubt due to the change 

 of country which takes place a short distance west of this 

 spot. A small covey of "Australian Dotterel" f Peltohyas 

 aust rails ) was met with, and several "Australian Bustards" 

 ( Avstrotis australis) were seen. Here, owing to a day's delay 

 (for adjusting loads, etc.) a fair number of birds, insects, and 

 botanical specimens were procured. 



Leaving Wantapella Swamp and travelling in a north-^ 

 westerly direction the Indulkana Range soon showed up, Vvith 

 tlie mount of the same name forming the termination at the 

 eastern end. The country was fairly flat, of a red sandy 

 nature, with open mulga and saltbush plains. We passed 

 right under Mount Chandler and along the northern side of 

 the range, going into camp just outside the gorge in which 

 Indulkana Springs are situated, with the high rugged range 

 overshadowing us. Just after reaching this range a new grass 

 wren ( Diajyhor'illas, sp.) was met with, and other birds were 

 procured. We passed through much bluebush (Kochia 

 erianfha ) near the range. 



Early next morning our leader, Williams, and the writer 

 took two camels, with two 25-gali. casks on each animal, up 

 a deep stony gorge, at the head of which the springs- are 

 situated. We filled the casks at the largest spring, round 

 which a quantity of rushes was growing. The water was of 

 fairly good quality. There were several other springs, but 

 some of them were quite salt. After the casks v/ere filled I 

 walked to the top of the gorge and found that the water,, 

 after heavy rains, must rush dov/n with great fcrce amongst 

 huge boulders from, a small catchment on the top of the 

 range. The native fig (Flcus platypocla ) and Murray 

 pine (Callitris rohtista) were met with for the first 

 time in this gorge. Leaving the Indulkana Range we took 

 a little more westerly course across a saltbush plain, crossed 

 the Indulkana "Creek where the country began to change, 

 granite beginning to make its appearance. Many cork trees 

 ( Hahea Jorea) in full blossom were passed, and a fair amount 

 of bluebush and cottonbush (Kochia villosa). Many 

 tracks of kangaroos were seen, and wild dogs were numerous^ 



The following day we passed over fairly level country, 

 thick mulga, a little grass but no bush, crossed several stony 

 ridges, mostly covered with broad-leafed mulga (Acacia 

 I'cui pcaiui) and a few "cork trees." Saw for the first time 



