About the river’s banks an elegant species of fly-catcher, “Birinberu” of the natives, was numerous, burrowing for some distance in the sand, where it lays its eggs, and produces young. It is about the size of a lark, of beautiful and varied plumage, migrating from this part of the country in the winter, and returning in the summer to build about its old haunts. I examined several of the burrows, which were situated on a sandy flat, near the river; the entrance was two inches and a half at its broadest diameter, continuing of a breadth seldom exceeding three inches, to the length of three feet generally,—although some were even longer,—terminating in a space from six to eight inches broad, where the eggs are laid, no nest was constructed, and, on examining the first burrow, I found four young ones reposing upon the bare sand. I covered the burrow as well as possible, leaving the young ones to a mother’s care, who soon returned to her progeny. Other burrows contained from four to five white nearly round eggs. The length of these birds was ten inches from the beak to the two projecting tail feathers, which last were usually an inch and a half beyond the others: the irides were of a beautiful bright-red colour. There are several species of birds seen here during the summer season, migrating in the winter, and others returning in the winter, and taking their departure in the summer. Observations upon the migration of birds in this colony would be interesting, as the accounts are often contradictory. The elegant “satin-bird,” (_Ptilinorynchus_ of Temminck,) it is said, leaves the Murrumbidgee country during summer, returning in autumn: it is also mentioned, that the aborigines never kill this bird.[121] Cattle and sheep stations now extend for some distance down the Murrumbidgee probably as much as fifty miles. The following is a list of them, commencing from below Mr. Warby’s farm at Darbylara. At a distance of two miles from Darbylara, proceeding down the stream, is the Miles. Belonging to 1st Station, “Minghee,” Mr. Warby, sen. 2 beyond, 2d Station, “Gundagiar,” Mr. Hutchinson. 5 — 3d Station, “Willeplumer,” Mr. Stuckey. 4 — 4th Station, “Kimo,” Mr. Guise. 3 — 5th Station, “Wadjego,” Mrs. Jenkins. 4 — 6th Station, “Nanghas,” Mr. J. M’Arthur. 8 — 7th Station, “Jabtre,” Mr. Ellis. 2 — 8th Station, “Wandubadjere,” Mr. Thorn. 10 — 9th Station, “Kubandere,” Mr. Tompson. 10 — 10th Station, “Billing billing,” Mr. H. M’Arthur. The natives’ names of that part of the country where the stations are situated have been retained; the distance in miles is nominal.