On riding through plains, &c. a number of quails are usually started by the dogs, and numerous eagle hawks, (Mollien of the natives,) and others of the same rapacious tribe, hover about for the purpose of darting upon the unfortunate quails when started; these hawks will also destroy and feed upon snakes, lizards, &c. On the 23d of December I left Yas Plains for Sydney; in the evening I arrived at “Lomebraes,” or “Willowdalong,” the farm of Mr. John Hume, after a journey of twenty-two miles. This farm is situated close to a river, which I was surprised to find was the “Lachlan.” At this season it was merely a chain of shallow ponds, abounding with weeds, and even in the winter season, from the extent of the banks, it cannot attain any magnitude; probably by aid of tributary streams, it may in its course become a river of more importance. About this country the heat of the summer had not been so great as to parch up the land, which still maintained its verdure; but the utter want of variety in several parts of the colony, produces a tedious vacuity in the mind of the traveller when journeying over it. A pleasing object in domestic life among the settlers was the number of healthy, blooming children seen on the farms in the interior; their little plump forms, with the prevailing flaxen hair, cheerful and lively disposition, and rosy countenances, sufficiently indicated that bush fare did not disagree with them: living in the midst of excellent milk, and other wholesome food, with exercise, they are never cloyed by the trash usually given to children in large towns. Sickness is also rarer among the servants, from an inability to become inebriated; but tobacco is quite a necessary of life among them; few can undergo any labour without it, and many have told me that they would rather give up their rations than be deprived of tobacco; consequently no gift is more acceptable in the bush to a servant, for any assistance he may render to the traveller, than a present of tobacco, for money in the distant parts of the colony, is comparatively useless, and they care little or nothing about it.