Since We First Entered Upon The Large Plains Of The Alligator
Rivers, We Had Seen Myriads Of The Small Cockatoo (Cocatua Sanguinea,
GOULD), Which Retired Towards Night, In Long Flights From The Plains, To
The Shade Of The Drooping Tea-Trees Near The Shallow Pools Of Water On
Which We Encamped.
We had also observed several retreats of flying-foxes
in the most shady parts of the Pandanus groves, receiving frequently the
first indication of them by the peculiar odour of the animal.
Cumuli formed very early in the morning, and increased during the day,
sending down showers of rain all round the horizon. The sea breeze set in
at 3 o'clock; and the weather cleared up at sunset, and during the first
part of the night; but after 1 o'clock A. M. became cloudy again, with
inclination to rain; heavy dew fell during the clear part of the night.
Dec. 4. - The natives returned very early to our camp. I went up to them
and made them some presents; in return for which they offered me bunches
of goose feathers, and the roasted leg of a goose, which they were
pleased to see me eat with a voracious appetite. I asked for Allamurr,
and they expressed themselves sorry in not having any left, and gave us
to understand that they would supply us, if we would stay a day. Neither
these natives nor the tribe of Eooanberry would touch our green hide or
meat: they took it, but could not overcome their repugnance, and tried to
drop it without being seen by us.
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