After leaving this range, an extensive, beautiful, and luxuriant plain or flat, surrounded in the distance by gradually-sloping verdant ranges of hills, was entered upon: this flat was carpeted by thick grass and gay flowers; and near a small creek, a quantity of plants with pink flowers, having at a distance some resemblance to our well-known “red clover,” attracted my attention: it seems to be of the natural family _Ameranthaceæ_, probably of the genus _Nissanthes_. Although the ground was strewed with flowering shrubs and plants, but very few appeared peculiar to this portion of the colony. The “kangaroo grass” (_Anthisteria australis_) was the most lofty and luxuriant among the native grasses,[92] covering the soil, about which different species of _Eucalypti_ were scattered; among them the “Box tree” of the colony, (Berre of the natives,) “Bastard apple tree,” (Carbut of the natives,) “Bastard box tree,” (Bargan of the aborigines,) and “iron bark,” (“Mucker” of the natives,) were most numerous. At this season they were covered with a profusion of white blossoms, which attracted flocks of parroquets, to sip, like the puny humming-bird, nectar from the flowers. Occasionally the “Green wattle,” or “Wundua” of the natives, was seen loaded with its fragrant yellow blossoms; and also a few trees of the “Bum, billerang,” or _Banksia rosmarinifolia_. I rode for a few miles through this fertile flat, which continued undiminished in picturesque beauty, until again the dark foliage of the “Plow’y,” or swamp oaks, indicated the proximity to the fine stream of the Murrumbidgee; and, arriving at its banks, crossed to the farm of Mr. Warby, called “Darbylara,” where I was glad to rest after a long and sultry ride of thirty miles. This farm, situated in a beautiful spot, is close to the junction of the Tumat and Murrumbidgee rivers. On approaching the river, the feathered creation in mingled harmony animated the scene; the tinkling note of the “Bell-bird,” or “Gilbulla,” of the natives was heard, a certain harbinger of the vicinity of water; and these birds were very numerous.[93] Perched on a lofty tree, the “razor-grinder” bird of the colonists may be heard uttering its peculiar sciz, scizaring notes, which so closely resembles the noise of the “razor-grinder’s machine,” as to render its appellation well deserved. The bird first commences with a rather prolonged whistling note, which is succeeded by the peculiar grinding notes, continued for some time without intermission, resembling in some degree the noise produced by the drums of the male _Tettigoniæ_, whose dinning notes resound through the woods during summer, almost to the exclusion of all other harmonious or inharmonious sounds. [Illustration: