Voi. xxiv. -1 BARRETT, Rockhampton Outings 
1925. J 
217 
went north to the creeks and swamps about five miles away. Most 
of us finished the day with a dip, which is always an enjoyable 
experience on this grand beach—perhaps the best on the Aus¬ 
tralian coast—though it would be of no use to the surf-board 
fiend. The evening was spent in packing, and by 7 a.m. next 
day we were on the return journey to Rockhampton, with many 
regrets that our wonderful outing was over. For most 
of us a busy morning in Rockhampton (especially so for the 
State Secretary) was ended at noon, when in our allotted corners 
in the train we steamed out from Rockhampton for home, amid 
the good wishes of quite a number of friends on the platform, 
including Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Barnard and Miss Barnard, Messrs. 
Boldemann, Maloney, Cleeve and others. I hus ended what was, 
perhaps, the most successful Conference and camp-out ever held 
by the Union. 
Rockhampton Outings 
By C. L. BARRETT, C.M.Z.S., Melbourne. 
Our friends had arranged a series of outings, to places of 
special interest in the Rockhampton district, and we have no 
wasted leisure hours to regret. Every excursion was pleasant, 
and added to the list of birds seen and identified. We had no 
preliminary worries in connections with these trips. All the 
worry had been done for us, and our memory of Rockhampton 
days will be always associated with the thoughtful kindness of 
local bird-lovers. 
FAIRY BOWER. 
A reserve, a few miles from the city, Fairy Bower, visited by 
delegates on the afternoon of October 15th, is fairly rich in bird 
life. There we noted nearly 30 species, and some were abun¬ 
dant. Channelbills (Scythrops novcc-hollandice), and Koels 
(Eudynainys orientalis ) were seen, and their curious, but en¬ 
gaging, call notes heard, as they flew overhead. By the creek- 
side, two or three Spangled Drongoes (Chibia bracteata) were 
at home. Bee-eaters (Merops ornatus) and Varied Trillers 
(Lalage leucomela ) were numerous. A Broadbilled Roller, or 
Dollar Bird (.Burystomus orientalis ) gave a display of tumbling 
and rolling. Both the Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas), and 
the Blue-winged Kookaburra (D. leachi) were present. Most 
interesting was a “strange” species of Gerygone (since identified 
as G. flavida), whose nest, with eggs, was found. Some members 
devoted themselves to entomology, and collected a varied lot of 
beetles, bugs, and butterflies. Several beautiful flowering shrubs 
and vines and various tropical trees, including the broad-leaved 
Leichhardt Tree, were admired in the scrub fringing the Fairy 
Bower Creek. 
