But that rough month set in with renewed heat, consequent on the wind returning to its old quarter the E.S.E.There were however some heavy clouds floating about, and from the closeness of the atmosphere I hoped that rain would have fallen, but all these favourable signs vanished, the thermometer ascending to more than 100 degrees.
When we first pitched our tents at the Depot the neighbourhood of it teemed with animal life.

The parrots and paroquets flew up and down the creeks collecting their scattered thousands, and making the air resound with their cries.

Pigeons congregated together; bitterns, cockatoos, and other birds; all collected round as preparatory to migrating.

In attendance on these were a variety of the Accipitrine class, hawks of different kinds, making sad havoc amongst the smaller birds.

About the period of my return from the north they all took their departure, and we were soon wholly deserted.