412 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



also held by a neighbouring species (Gymnodactylus platurus), in 

 which the tail is even more like that of the Scorpion. This 

 latter species, especially in some parts of the country, is held in 

 great abhorrence on account of its supposed stinging powers, 

 but nothing could be more fallacious, as it is perfectly harmless, 

 and its appearance is its only defence. Both species have 

 also the power of voluntarily throwing off the squirming tail, 

 thus distracting attention while the animal is making its escape. 

 These Geckos are at times covered apparently with bright red or 

 pink tubercles. I say " apparently," because on examination 

 with an ordinary hand-lens these " tubercles " are resolved into 

 minute ticks, which by contrast with the brown body are 

 extremely noticeable. 



Of course, it is not usual to find all the foregoing animals 

 upon such a small area (about a foot square), and at least one of 

 the reptiles crept under as I approached. 



After proceeding a little farther, I came upon a specimen of 

 Cunningham's Lizard (Egernia cunninghami) , the most salient 

 feature of which is its extremely rough tail. In disposition it is 

 inclined to be sluggish, but when pursued it can manage to pro- 

 gress at a fair rate of speed. 



Whilst crossing this headland I observed a " White-bellied 

 Sea-Eagle" (Haliaetus leucogaster) soaring around at a consider- 

 able altitude, and standing out in bold relief against the azure sky. 



As the afternoon was wearing on, and I still had a consider- 

 able distance to traverse, I decided to halt nowhere else; so, 

 as soon as I had passed this headland, I hastened over the 

 beautiful sandy beach (about half a mile in extent) which stretches 

 away from its base ; though not so fast but that I had time to 

 observe a number of the burrows of that interesting little bright- 

 coloured " Soldier-Crab" (Mycteris longicarpus) . These burrows 

 are surrounded by numberless little round pellets of sand, which 

 the busy little crustaceans bring up to the surface during the 

 course of their excavations. 



Departing from this beach, I began to walk across country 

 through the scrub, as I was drawing near to Port Jackson, 

 and wished to strike the road (along which I had passed in 

 the coach during the early part of the day) as soon as possible. 

 On the way through the bush I noticed a great many of 



