quantity of good grass; abundance of water lying on the top of the tableland, with seagulls, ducks, cranes, etc., about and on the basins; seven black swans passed over the camp in their flight on bearing of 335 degrees, no doubt to some lake in that direction.  Some few days ago not a bird was to be seen scarcely, but a few kite, crows, and galahs; now the whole country seems to be alive with ducks of various kinds, macaws, corellas, cockatoo parrots, and innumerable small birds.

Wednesday, March 5.

Wind light from north-east and every appearance of a beautiful day; the country beginning to have quite a green appearance, and the valleys being covered with lilies in full bloom, birds singing and chirping all around as if in spring.  I am quite shut out for the present from Eyre’s Creek; so will not attempt it.  At midday the party arrived with the meat of the bullock and shortly after, when cutting it up for jerking, the head of the axe accidentally flew off and inflicted a severe wound in the knee of Maitland our cook; I hope it won’t disable him long, although it is deep and in a nasty place.  Got all the meat jerked by evening and trust we may have dry weather to have it properly preserved; lots of bones and scraps, of which we shall make soup.

Thursday, March 6.

Wind more to the north and every appearance of a dry day; busy shoeing the horses although they make a slow and sorry work of it.

Friday, March 7.

Wind changing all round except from the south and clouds gathering; with lots of black macaws screeching out in all directions.  I hope they are not again the forerunners of a downpour, as they were of the last.  The meat appears to be drying nicely, and will have it taken up this evening.  It is very sultry.

Saturday, March 8.

Wind from west round to north and sultry with a good many fleecy clouds; shall finish shoeing the horses today with the exception of one which will require a couple of days’ work first, being at present rather fresh (a good fault) and if all is well will make a start on Monday morning.  The stony hills and slopes (that from every appearance, a few days ago, from their thorough bronzed and desert appearance, one would suppose grass never grew) are now being clothed in many places with a nice green coating of grass, and shortly will give this part quite a lively appearance, very different indeed from what it was when I first saw it, then it was as desolate a looking spot as one could picture to himself.  In a couple or three months’ time from this date one could with little difficulty (I am almost certain) start with a herd of any description of stock from the northern settled parts of South Australia and go right across the continent to whatever point he might think fit by this route, but I will know more about it shortly.  This bullock gave us of dried meat about 116 pounds, apparently well dried, besides what meat was used with the bones to make soup.  I hope it may keep well.