Page:Tracks of McKinlay and party across Australia.djvu/211

 and crested pigeons here; also some beautiful parrots, black ducks, teal, whistlers, painted widgeons, and wood-duck in small number, also parroquets and quail. Some dry grass here on top of banks up to my waist, further out there is some good tussocky grasses, and there has been plenty of oats. Secured seeds from the bean tree, and the stones of the fruit before alluded to. Fish in water here, although there is only a small quantity and drying up fast. In looking for the horses in the morning up the main creek, found about three-quarters of a mile from this where Burke had camped in the bed, and had dug for water. From the appearance of their camp and quantity of camel dung, he slept more than one night here. I think when they camped there, there was water both below and above; it is now quite dry, however. A small quantity of sewing twine was found at this camp.

6th. Middleton's foot a little easier. Thought of returning, as he is quite unfit for work, but have made up my mind now to go on and ascertain the facts I went out to obtain. I therefore started at 8·25 for the upper waters of the creek, keeping on the south bank; crossed several creeks until 12 o'clock, when we found in the camp a little above Pardulli a gum tree marked "W.I. Wills, N.N.W., xlv. yds., A.H." Turned out our horses here for some time; between the last crossing of the creek and this I got a view of a couple of red