Vol iM 4 IV ’] MacGILUVRAY, S.IV. Queensland. 
97 
evening flocks of Straw-necked Ibises flew from all directions to 
a common roosting-place, after regaling themselves all day on 
the hordes of caterpillars that were devastating the herbage on 
the plains. A fine cold night was punctuated by the musical 
trumpeting of the Brolgas, and, in the morning, pairs and small 
parties of these fine birds were seen feeding quite near our camp. 
Clouds of Ibises appeared as hazy patches on the north-western 
horizon just after daylight, and soon materialised into a suc¬ 
cession of large flocks which broke off in all directions to feed 
on the plains. Many passed directly over our heads in compact 
masses, strung out into long lines or in V-shaped order with 
the limbs of the V changing from time to time with a different 
leader at the apex. This continued for nearly an hour and a 
half before all had dispersed. It would be a difficult matter 
to make an estimate of their vast numbers, and still more difficult 
to estimate the number of caterpillars which would be required 
to fill all their crops or to judge the saving of vegetation effected 
by the birds. 
We continued our journey, but had many car troubles. Cross¬ 
ing a grassy plain a Bushlark ( Mirafra ) was heard singing in 
the air, and another noted with fledged young. 
A sandhill near our first halt was sparingly covered with 
scrub trees. Acacia ligulata and Acacia tetragonophylla were 
flowering, while A. Oswaldi was in bud. Mulga, Whitewood, 
Needlewood, and Cork Tree ( Hakea intermedia ) were the 
principal trees. Large shrubs of Bremophila Duttoni were in fine 
leaf and flowering; and B. Latrobei bore brighter flowers and 
narrower greyish green leaves. At the foot of the sandhill an¬ 
other Bremophila grew, which I had seen last at Cordillo Downs. 
The greater part of the sandhill was covered with Trichinum 
alopecuroideum, both the white and purple varieties, two Swain- 
sonas, and a small soft procumbent plant ( Gnephosis eriocarpa ). 
On account of these qualities the last-named was much used by 
birds for nest-construction. 
More Gibber-birds and Dotterels were disturbed along the 
roadside, and a pair of Black-breasted Plovers protested at our 
intrusion, so that it was evident that they had young near-by. An 
area of swampy country away to our left was yellow with 
flowering composites, mostly Senecio lautiis. Numbers of cattle 
were feeding all over it, and a wonderful mirage separated them 
from the Grey Range in the distance. A brief examination of 
this swampy ground led to the identification of the White-winged 
Wren and Orange Chat. Our way led us along the stony edge 
of low sandhills, then across stony stretches between creeps run¬ 
ning down from the Grey Range to the Wilson River. Some 
of these stretches were covered with the lavender variation of 
Blennodia canescens and Swainsona tephrotrycha. A few Gibber- 
birds, several Dotterels and Black-breasted Plover were all paired 
and probably breeding. As we pulled into Paddy Paddy water- 
hole the whole of the creek banks and for 50 yards out on either 
