654 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 
slow. An alert observer can judge by the style of flight whether the 
pigeon is going to water or from it. It does not go in to drink during 
the heat of the day. 
Speaking of the “Rock Pigeon” Leichhardt writes — “ They live in 
pairs and small flocks. They fly out of the shade of overhanging 
rocks, or from the moist wells of the natives, around which they cluster 
like flies round a drop of syrup.” Careful note of the flight of the 
pigeon will tell an ordinarily intelligent observer which way to seek 
for water. 
Stuart says — “ I observed very large flocks of pigeons coming in 
clouds from the plains, in every direction, towards the ponds. Some 
time afterwards we saw them coming back, and flying away into the 
plains as far as the eye can reach, apparently to feed.” 
Cockatoo. — The “ Corella” cockatoo ( Cacatua gymnopis ) (white, 
crestless), galar parrots ( Cacatua eos ), “Rose-breasted Cockatoos,” 
parrots, and parakeets are all good indicators of water, the first two 
being considered specially valuable in this regard ; also the “ Sulphur- 
crested Cockatoo” {Cacatua gal erita, Gould). 
Crows, “ Kite-Hawks” Soaring Eagles at times indicate water, 
but are at other times seen far away, and must be deemed unreliable. 
Emu {Dromanius) and “ Laughing Jackass ” ( Dacelo gig ant ea) 
(South Australian native name “ Kooyaua”) are both unreliable as 
“Water hinders,” since, like the dingo and kangaroo, they may be 
seen very far from water, subsisting upon the moisture supplied in 
the food eaten. In this respect these all greatly resemble the catnel. 
Geese flying low are a sign of near water, and are seen at times 
in very dry country, but with water in the vicinity. — Leichhardt , 
p. 508. 
Absence of Birds. — Stuart, pp. 285-291, says — “ We have met no 
birds that frequent country where water is. . . . The absence of 
birds proclaims it [Sturt Plains] to be destitute of water.” This 
would refer to waters accessible to birds. There might be root or 
hollow- tree water available to the traveller. 
Insects . — Some forms of insect life are useful, and reliable 
indicators of the presence of water. 
Large and Small Bed Hornets and the Mason Fly (like a long- 
legged wasp, really a hornet) point to water. Ernest Giles (vol. i., 
p. 95) speaks of the hornets, along with diamond birds, gathering in 
swarms round the searcher for water, as, with his scoop, he sinks a 
hole into the sand of a creek-bed to obtain the precious supply. Ihe 
long-legged wasp, with legs drooping down, is seen in dry regions 
hovering steadily over a special spot. An observer under these con- 
ditions, upon dismounting from his horse, found, upon close examina- 
tion and test, that the soil at the spot was quite moist, and scratching 
or digging down would there secure more or less of a supply of water. 
Mussell Shell. — The natives consume these, wherever found, in 
great quantities. The presence of heaps of shells beside water 
indicates the permanence of the supply. Stuart says, p. 113 (Louden 
Springs) — “ Round about their fires were large quantities of shells 
of the fresh- water uiussell, the fish from which they [natives] had 
been eating. I should think this a good proof of the water being 
permanent.” Stuart is in error; shells are found alive in holes that 
have been dry three or four years. 
