354 R. H. MATHEWS. 



Ever since that corroboree the black cockatoo has reddish 

 stains on the feathers which grow on the under side of his 

 tail. Evidence of the glare of the flame also appears on 

 the back and head of the sparrow-hawk. 



Hoiv water was obtained by the Kamilaroi people. — 

 On the Melii and Gwydir Rivers, in the Kamilaroi country, 

 the natives say that in olden times tliere was no water on 

 the surface of the ground. The people had to depend upon 

 showers, the dew, and such moisture as they could procure 

 from roots of trees and vines. The iguana, yurundiali, 

 however, knew of a spot where there was a hole in a rock, 

 at which lie used to quench his thirst and then place a 

 stone over the top of it, so that it was hidden from the 

 eyes of passing strangers. 



His fellows often noticed greenish layers or deposits, 

 such as usually float on the surface of water, about the 

 iguana's jaws and on his head, when he came into camp, 

 but they could get no explanation from him. He always 

 looked sleek and contented, and never went in quest of 

 vines or similar substances. Attempts had frequently been 

 made to watch him when he went out hunting, but he was 

 too adroit to let anyone see him drinking. The sandpiper, 

 biUidliu, at length volunteered to go out and see if he could 

 discover the iguana's secret. 



Next day the iguana started away by himself, and so did 

 the sandpiper. This bird has a habit of running along a 

 little way, and stopping suddenly, as still as a statue. Then 

 he makes another short run, and comes to another abrupt 

 standstill. He learnt this habit from dodging about after 

 the iguana, and has kept it up ever since. He kept his eye 

 constantly on the iguana, and every time that animal looked 

 in his direction, he came to a sudden stop, and was easily 

 mistaken for a dried stick projecting from a log, or for the 

 stump of a sapling. After a while the iguana climbed a 



