irly, but sheep do
not thrive; the country is quite unsuited to them. Goats may be kept
with advantage; and pigs find an abundant supply of food in the
scrubs and swamps.

6. In the Zoology of the district, the careful researches of Mr.
M'Gillivray--the naturalist attached to H.M.'s surveying ship
Rattlesnake--have left little room for the discovery of many
positive novelties. I have, however, been able to note many
interesting facts in the economy and habits of the birds, especially
such as relate to their migration. Several of the species found here
are season visitors of New South Wales, and it is interesting to
compare the times of their arrival and departure in this place with
those in the southern colony.

7. The animals afford small variety. The dingo, or native dog, four
species of the smaller kangaroos, and two other marsupials are found.
One, an elegant little squirrel-like opossum, striped lengthways with
black and white, I believe to be new.

8. The birds are more plentiful. My collection comprises more than
one hundred species of land birds, many of them remarkable for beauty
of plumage, and peculiarity of form, structure, and habit. Among
them the most remarkable are the great black macaw, ('Microglossus
Atterrimus') the magnificent rifle bird, ('Ptiloris Magnifica') and
the rare and beautiful wood kingfisher, ('Tan Ts-ptera Sylvia'). The
latter first made its appearance here on the 30th of November last.
On the afternoon and night of the 28th and the 29th of that month
there was a heavy storm of rain, with wind from the north-east, and
the next morning the bush along the shore was ringing with the cries
of the new arrivals. To my constant enquiries of the blacks for this
bird, I was always told by them that when the wind and rain came from
the north-west the birds would come, and their prediction was
verified to the letter. They also say the birds come from "Dowdui"
(New Guinea). I think this probable, as several of the birds
described by the French naturalist, M. Lesson, as found by him in New
Guinea have also appeared here for the breeding season. The
'Megapodius Tumulus' is also worthy of mention, on account of the
surprising structure of its nest. The mound resembles, and is
composed of the same materials as that of the brush turkey
('Talegulla'), but is very much larger in size. Some that I have
measured are upwards of thirty (30) feet in diameter at the base, and
rise at the nat