We started on the 23rd, with the same boundlessness of plain on either side of us; but in the course of the morning a change took place, both in soil and productions; and from the red sandy loam, and salsolaceous plants, amidst which we had been toiling, we got upon a light tenacious and blistered soil, evidently subject to frequent overflow, and fields of polygonum junceum, amidst which, both the crested pigeon and the black quail were numerous.  The drays and animals sank so deep in this, that we were obliged to make for the river, and keep upon its immediate banks.  Still, with all the appearance of far-spread inundation, it continued undiminished in size, and apparently in the strength of its current.  Its channel was deeper than near the mountains, but its breadth was about the same.

On the 24th, we were again entangled amidst fields of polygonum, through which we laboured until after eleven, when we gained a firmer soil.  Some cypresses appeared upon our right, in a dark line, and I indulged hopes that a change was about to take place in the nature of the country.  We soon, however, got on a light rotten earth, and were again obliged to make for the river, with the teams completely exhausted.  We had not travelled many miles from our last camp, yet it struck me, that the river had fallen off in appearance.  I examined it with feelings of intense anxiety, certain, as I was, that the flooded spaces, over which we had been travelling would, sooner or later, be succeeded by a country overgrown with reeds.  The river evidently overflowed its banks, on both sides, for many miles, nor had I a doubt that, at some periods, the space northward, between it and the Lachlan, presented the appearance of one vast sea.  The flats of polygonum stretched away to the N.W. to an amazing distance, as well as in a southerly direction, and the very nature of the soil bore testimony to its flooded origin.  But the most unaccountable circumstance to me was, that it should be entirely destitute of vegetation, with the exception of the gloomy and leafless bramble I have noticed.

M’Leay, who was always indefatigable in his pursuit after subjects of natural history, shot a cockatoo, of a new species, hereabouts, having a singularly shaped upper mandible.  It was white, with scarlet down under the neck feathers, smaller than the common cockatoo, and remarkable for other peculiarities.

Intercourse with natives; the Colare or lachlan.

Two or three natives made their appearance at some distance from the party, but would not approach it until after we had halted.  They then came to the tents, seven in number, and it was evident from their manner, that their chief or only object was to pilfer anything they could.  We did not, therefore, treat them with much ceremony.  They were an ill-featured race, and it was only by strict watching during the night that they were prevented from committing theft.