212 INSECTS. 



usually seen in small flocks passing over the tops of 

 the trees, uttering a loud sharp scream at intervals. 

 Another parrakeet, not so big- as a sparrow, of a 

 green colour, was sometimes seen in flocks, but 

 we could not succeed in g'etting- one. The Torres 

 Strait and Nicobar pigeons, also Duperrey's Megd.- 

 podius were common enough, as well as many 

 other birds, twelve species of which are also found 

 in Australia,— a most unlooked-for occurrence. 



No snakes were seen during our rambles, but 

 small lizards occurred everywhere. A large lizard, 

 apparently Monitor Gouldii, was shot from a tree 

 on the banks of the river. Although not troubled 

 by mosquitoes, such of us as strolled about much in 

 the bush were sadly tormented by sand-flies — a 

 minute two- winged insect whose bite raises a small 

 swelling followed by much itching. On going to 

 bed one night, I counted no less than sixty-three of 

 these marks on my left leg from the ankle to half 

 Way up the thigh, and the right one was equally 

 studded with angry red pimples. Among many 

 kinds of ants I may mention the green one, which 

 is found chiefly on trees and bushes, of the leaves 

 of which it makes its nest. Should one unconsciously 

 disturb them by getting entangled among the 

 branches in the neighbourhood of a nest, he may 

 expect a whole swarm upon him before he can 

 extricate himself, and is first made aware of their 

 presence by feeling sharp stinging pains in various 

 places, especially the neck, caused by their bites. 



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