The family at Darbylara are generally industriously employed in making butter and cheese, which is taken to Sydney for sale: they possess numerous herds of cattle, and the luxuriant pasturage about the farm fattens and enables the milch cows to furnish abundance of milk. From the industry displayed by this family, they deserve to realize an independence from their exertions. Formerly flocks of sheep were kept about the farm; but from great losses being sustained among them, from a morbid propensity of destroying their progeny, they were given up, and more attention paid to this as a dairy farm, for which purpose no land could be better selected. CHAPTER XVI. Flocks of pelicans and grey parrots—Arrive at Jugiong—A busy scene—The harvest—Quails and Hawks—Mr. Hume’s farm—Domestic life among the settlers—Miss my way in the forest—Mr. Reddal’s farm—Disease called the Black Leg—Mr. Bradley’s residence at Lansdowne Park—Drooping manna trees—Christmas festival—Mr. F. M’Arthur’s farm—Aboriginal tribes—Native costume—Noisy revelry—Wild ducks and pigeons—Spiders. On leaving Darbylara, I proceeded to Jugiong by a different road from that by which I came, keeping near the Murrumbidgee river during the journey. Occasionally a flock of pelicans (“Guligalle” of the natives) were seen: this species has black and white plumage; the back and upper part of the wings being black, the remainder of the body white, with the bill and legs of a yellowish colour. Black swans (“Guniock” of the aborigines) were also seen; and among others of the “plumy tribe” that enlivened the scenery, were flocks of grey parrots, and several other species of the same tribe; the bell-bird, razor-grinder, and coach-whip birds, were also occasionally seen or heard; the latter well named from its peculiar note, which accurately resembles the cracking of a whip. In the vicinity of this noble stream the scenery was beautiful; rich and luxuriant pasturage abounded, and the country had a cheerful and animated appearance. The river, during its course, occasionally forms pretty cascades, by falling over huge rocks that oppose its current. After riding four miles, a station belonging to Mr. Kennedy, called Kurongullen, gullen, was seen on the opposite side of the river; about a mile further distant, Mr. Lupton’s station of Guberolong was passed; and a further ride of eight miles, through a fertile picturesque country, brought me to Bulbábuck, a station the property of Mr. Henry O’Brien, where the men were busily occupied in cutting some fine fields of wheat. In the evening I reached Jugiong, and on the following day (10th December) arrived at Yas Plains.