[** This dwarf gum tree is of much use to the natives of New South Wales, as may be seen by the following distribution of its properties.  The gum from the body of the tree, which they term Goolgad-ye, is used for repairing their canoes.  Of the reed they make a fiz-gig, which they call Moo-ting.  Of the grass or rushes which grow at the top of the tree, they make torches, named Boo-do.  A gum which they extract from these rushes, and which is named Wangye, they use in fastening the joints of their spears; and from the centre of the tree they procure a loathsome worm, which they call Boo-roo-gal, and deem a great luxury.  The tree itself is named Ye-gal.]

The few rocky shores of the river presented nothing remarkable, being generally either of a rough iron-stone, or a soft grid-stone.

The grey kangaroo of a very large size, abounded in the open forest; the brushes were tenanted by the smaller black kind, or, as it is named by the natives of Port Jackson, the Wal-li-bah.

The plumage of the parrots forms a gloomy contrast with the rich lustre of those near the settlement, their colours being rather grave than gay.  The melancholy cry of the bell-bird (dil boong, after which Bennillong named his infant child) seems to be unknown here.  Many aquatic birds, both web-footed and waders, frequent the arms and coves of the river; but the black swans alone are remarkable in point of number.  Mr. Bass once made a rough calculation of three hundred swimming within the space of a quarter of a mile square; and heard the ‘dying song’ of some scores; that song, so celebrated by the poets of former times, exactly resembled the creaking of a rusty sign on a windy day!  Not more than two thirds of any of the flocks which they fell in with could fly, the rest could do no more than flap along upon the surface of the water, being either moulting, or not yet come to their full feather and growth, which they require two years to attain.  They swam and flapped alternately, and went along surprisingly fast.  It was some times a long chase, but the boat generally tired them out.  When in danger, and speed makes no part of their escape, they immerse their bodies so far, that the water makes a passage between their neck and back, and in this position they would frequently turn aside a heavy load of shot.  They seemed to be endowed with much sagacity; in chase they soon learned the weakest point of their pursuers, and, instead of swimming directly from them, as they did at first, always endeavoured in the most artful manner to gain the wind, which could only be prevented by anticipating their movements, and by a dexterous management of the boat.

The swan is said to feed upon fish, frogs, and water-slugs; but in the gizzards of many that at different times and in different places were examined by Mr. Bass, nothing ever appeared but small water plants, mostly a kind of broad leaved grass, and some little sand.  To their affection for their young he had seen some lamentable sacrifices; but of their fierceness, at least when opposed to man, or their great strength, he had seen no instance.