Black and white cockatoos, (_Psittacus funereus_, Lath. and _P. galeritus_ Temm.,) with an infinite variety of the parrot tribe, such as ground parrots, (_Psittacus formosus_, Lath.) loris, (_Psittacus eximius_, Shaw.) &c., enlivened the scene, for even their discordant screams are cheering in the depths of an Australian solitude; among them also the “Rosehill parrot,” which, for beauty, variety, and harmony of colours, is not to be equalled by any of the other species, was abundant; I picked up one of this species lying dead on the road, still warm, in full and beautiful plumage, and without any external wound to account for its death. The more gentle “Bronze-winged pigeons” (_Columba chalcoptera_) were also very numerous, alighting on the road to pick up food, unmindful of the near approach of the horses. The plumage of this bird varies from a beautiful fawn colour to a dark brown, with several brown feathers near the bases of the wings, from which cause it derives its colonial appellation. Numerous magpies, crows, and the smaller variety of birds of gay plumage, also crossed our path, exciting the admiration and attention of the traveller. A peculiar, and, I believe, undescribed species of the lizard tribe, of a black colour and repulsive appearance, but perfectly harmless, was occasionally seen; the tail is very short in proportion to the length of the body, having the appearance of a portion of it being accidentally broken off, but on examination it is found to be the natural formation; they crossed the road before us, moving very slow, and did not display any signs of timidity at our presence. This species is said to be eaten by the aborigines. After passing the Gap,[61] or opening in the mountain range, through which the road to Yas Plains leads, we continued for a few miles through a still interesting country. About this place several of the varieties or species of _Eucalyptus_, which have opposite leaves of a bluish green colour, their surface being sprinkled thinly with a whitish powder, were very abundant; it is from their foliage that the largest quantity of the camphorated oil, which so closely resembles the _Caju puti_, is produced. Some contain it in such abundance as to cover the hand with oil, when one of the leaves is gently rubbed against it. I am informed that the oil has been extracted in the colony for medicinal purposes, and, I believe, will be found possessed of similar properties to the _Caju puti_, so highly esteemed in arthrodial rheumatism as an embrocation. The oil known by the name of Caju puti[62] oil is produced from the leaves of a tree of the _Melaleuca_ genus, of the species _M. leucadendron_ and _M. Caju puti_.