fowl. To our great disappointment, however, we saw that a party of natives were encamped on its borders, and had effectually scared away most of the birds. The low state of the water had made it favourable for capturing the fish (of four species), which then existed in considerable numbers, and the natives had flocked to the place from all quarters ; hundreds of hawks, chiefly Milvus affinis, were assembled about the encampment, and their daring in carrying off fragments of fish and offal fi-om within a few feet of the fires, surpri- sed me not a little. The effluvia given off from the mud and stag- nant water, with the thermometer at 94° in the shade, and not a breath of air stirring, were so sickening, that at length we were glad to leave the place — well characterized by the natives in their name for it, "the stinking ground." Flights of a large Vampire bat (Pteropus funereus) made their appearance at sunset, flying about the tall Melaleuca trees, on the flowers of which at this season they chiefly feed ; while during the day they remain suspended from the branches among the dense mangrove thickets. I have some eggs of that sin- gular bird the Megapodius Tumulus, dug out from a mound in the neighbourhood, which were brought us by the natives.
Finding that little was to be done at Moormal, we shifted our quar- ters two miles further South, and constructed a rude tent from the boat's sails among some low bushes behind the beach, close to a well of excellent water; this last in Australia is always a considera- tion of the first importance. The great attraction, however, to us, was a neighbouring small lagoon (Amurake of aborigines) of nearly fresh water, a favourite haunt of aquatic birds and waders. This is about three quarters of a mile in length, and at this season seldom exceeded four feet in depth, and was partially overgrown with a species of Eleocharis. In the numerous pools a handsome Nymphæa, with large, 'pale blue, odoriferous flowers, nearly concealed the surface of the water. The water is so slightly brackish, that two species of fresh- water shells are abundant about the margin, which is separated from the neighbouring forest by a belt of Melaleucæ or "Tea trees," the singular bark of which is much used by the aborigines for construct- ing temporary huts.
While we remained in this neighbourhood the usual daily routine was seldom varied. Earliest dawn generally found us on our way to the lagoon, on reaching which we proceeded to search the opposite sides. Our first attention was devoted to the procuring of a few geese (Anseranas melanoleuca) and black ducks (Anas superciliosa) for food, which being accomplished, these birds had a respite for the
