nes, and
other aquatic birds, the party flushed in the neighbourhood of the lakes.
Whence could these birds (more numerous at this point than we ever
afterwards saw them) have come from? To what quarter do they go? They do
not frequent the Murray or the Darling in such numbers, neither do they
frequent the southern portion of the coast. If then they are not to be
found in those localities, what waters do they inhabit in the interior?

On the 4th I sent Flood to the north in search of water, directing him to
keep at a certain distance from the ranges, with especial instructions
not to proceed beyond 60 or 70 miles, but in the event of his finding
water within that distance to return immediately to the camp. During his
absence I was abundantly occupied, and anxious that Mr. Poole and Mr.
Browne should have a little rest after their late journey. Both those
gentlemen were however too interested in the service in which they were
engaged to remain idle when they could be usefully employed. Mr. Poole
went out with me on the 5th and 6th to assist in the measurement of the
new base line I had deemed it prudent to run, for the purpose, as I have
said, of correcting any previous error. Mr. Piesse examined the pork, and
according to my instructions made out a list of the stores on hand, when
I found it necessary to make a reduction in the allowance of tea and
sugar, in consequence of the loss of weight. The former from 4 oz. to 3
oz. per week, the latter from 2 lb. to 1 1/2 lb.

The heat had now become excessive, the thermometer seldom falling under
96 degrees, and rising to 112 degrees and 125 degrees in the shade. The
surface of the ground never cooled, and it was with difficulty that we
retained any stones in our hands that had been exposed to the sun; still
we had not as yet experienced a hot wind. The existing heat was caused by
its radiation from the earth's surface and the intensity of the solar
rays.

The horses Mr. Poole had out with him, had suffered a good deal, and
considering that if the country should continue as heretofore, and we
should be obliged to hunt incessantly for water, we should require
relays, I thought it advisable to do away with the horse-team, as the
consumption of provisions now enabled me to divide the load the horses
had drawn equally amongst the bullocks. We finished the base line on the
7th, and I was glad to find that it was of sufficient length to ensure a
favourable result, it being rather m