121 
Mar. 31, 1910. The Queensland Naturalist. 
of this plant, consequently any items of interest not within 
reach from the road can only be collected from a flying 
machine, or passed as “ sour grapes.” 
Once within the reserve, however, the Lantana is 
conspicuous by its absence, and as one looks toward the 
head of the lake from the enbankment, the clean and 
orderly appearance of the banks and bordering lands is 
noted at once. From the water’s edge, a belt of “Water 
Couch” extends at a uniform width of about 15 feet, right 
round the lake, and being a much lighter shade of green 
than the Kangaroo and other grasses, Avhich extend from 
its edge to the timber line, the effect is most pleasing. 
Though at one time a great deal of pine was found on the 
surrounding hills, most of it has disappeared, one or two 
straggly specimens of Araucaria Cunninghamii alone 
remaining to bear evidence of the one-time forest of this 
useful tree. On the Southern and South-Western bank 
the usual Eucalyptus timbered country is noticed, but 
on the Northern, there is a considerable amount of under- 
growth among the timber. Here I noticed a species of 
bodonea (Native Hops), which was literally crowded 
with fruit of a bright pink shade. A Eugenia and 
Hibiscus heterophyllus also flourish here. 
At the head of the lake the vegetation assumes the 
typical scrub form, in places being particularly dense, 
and it has been a matter for regret with me that I had not 
the time to do any collecting there. Betv'een this belt 
and the water a considerable area has at one time been 
cleared, but now is almost entirely covered by the ink 
weed (Phytolacca octandra), which at this season is in full 
fruit. On the occasion of my visit there was a strong 
Westerly breeze bloving, but as this part of the reservoir 
has a rapid slope to the East, it was quite protected from 
the wind, and quite calm ; I have often noticed in such 
spots in similar weather, that one hears, perhaps, one of 
the finest of our feathered mimics, the Silver Eye 
(Zostero'ps coerulescens). This was one of those occasions. 
and not only was the weather suitable, but the bird’s 
greatest food dainty grew here in profusion, viz., the ink- 
weed. This fact had evidently been noised abroad, for 
the bird was here in thousands, busily feasting and 
singing. Its note, when mocking others, is not loud or 
strong — quite the contrary — and it is therefore necessary 
to be close to the singer to catch the whole score. There 
is not a bird in the locality that escapes this mimic, and 
its attempt at such notes as that of the Coach Whip Bird 
is excellent, whilst birds like the Magpie Lark, the Yellow- 
faced Honeyeater, and others are imitated to perfection. 
At intervals it breaks off into its usual warble, evidently 
as a rest. This bird has a variety of distinctive notes, 
and in my opinion is the one which goes furthest in using 
