MIGRATION OF THE BIRDS--JOURNEY TO THE EASTWARD--FLOODED PLAINS--NATIVE FAMILY--PROCEED SOUTH, BUT FIND NO WATER--AGAIN TURN EASTWARD--STERILE COUNTRY--SALT LAGOON--DISTANT HILLS TO THE EAST--RETURN TO THE CAMP--INTENSE HEAT--OFFICERS ATTACKED BY SCURVY--JOURNEY TO THE WEST--NO WATER--FORCED TO RETURN--ILLNESS OF MR.

POOLE--VISITED BY A NATIVE--SECOND JOURNEY TO THE EASTWARD--STORY OF THE NATIVE--KITES AND CROWS--ERECT A PYRAMID ON MOUNT POOLE--PREPARATIONS FOR A MOVE--INDICATIONS OF RAIN--INTENSE ANXIETY--HEAVY RAIN--MR.

POOLE LEAVES WITH THE HOME RETURNING PARTY--BREAK UP THE DEPOT--MR.

POOLE'S SUDDEN DEATH--HIS FUNERAL--PROGRESS WESTWARD--THE JERBOA--ESTABLISHMENT OF SECOND DEPOT--NATIVE GLUTTONY--DISTANT MOUNTAINS SEEN--REACH LAKE TORRENS--EXAMINATION OF THE COUNTRY N.W.OF IT--RETURN TO THE DEPOT--VISITED BY NATIVES--PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE AGAIN INTO THE NORTHWEST INTERIOR.
The three last days of February were cool in comparison to the few preceding ones.

The wind was from the south, and blew so heavily that I anticipated rough weather at the commencement of March.