Page:Sea and River-side Rambles in Victoria.djvu/134

115 burial site in early days for near relatives. Further on, after passing some lovely spots in the bends of the stream, overhung cypress-like with the drooping foliage of Casuarinæ, we arrive at Bethungall, where reside more hospitable friends, to whom we never fail to pay our respects in passing, and from this point it is an easy walk to the "Caves" on the coast, alluded to at page 33. Herds of Wallabies frequent this neighbourhood, and even now the Emu is not unfrequently met with, finding abundance of food in the young shoots of the Brake Fern (Pteris esculenta.) On the high banks here, where flourish some gay flowering plants, the Fish-hawk rears its young, and the tracks of the Native Cat are everywhere conspicuous. The Cormorant (Phalacrocorax leucogaster) with its olive brown plumage and white breast, mopes on any snag which may rise out of the water, taking flight for a few yards as our boat disturbs him, but anon perching again the moment all is quiet. The pretty Night or Nankeen Heron, the Blue Crane, and also the White Egret are met with here.

At last, having been steadily sticking to our oars for a few minutes, we catch sight of—

but before we reach it, let us rest awhile and light our pipes, as the air blows keenly in from the coast;—here is a spot for the Naturalist!! Look out on the mud flats yonder, there is a splendid Ibis picking its steps carefully, and keeping a sharp look out for any small Crustacea which fall in its way,—some noble Pelicans too with well crammed pouches we see,—in the shallow