It was at the same time, however, clear that the country was not favourable for any attempt to penetrate, since there was no surface water.

I felt indeed that it would be imprudent to venture with heavily loaded drays into such a country; but although I found a westerly course as yet closed upon me, I still hoped that we should find larger waters in the north-west interior, from the fact of the immense number of bitterns, cranes, and other aquatic birds, the party flushed in the neighbourhood of the lakes.
Whence could these birds (more numerous at this point than we ever afterwards saw them) have come from?
To what quarter do they go?
They do not frequent the Murray or the Darling in such numbers, neither do they frequent the southern portion of the coast.

If then they are not to be found in those localities, what waters do they inhabit in the interior?
On the 4th I sent Flood to the north in search of water, directing him to keep at a certain distance from the ranges, with especial instructions not to proceed beyond 60 or 70 miles, but in the event of his finding water within that distance to return immediately to the camp.

During his absence I was abundantly occupied, and anxious that Mr.Poole and Mr.
Browne should have a little rest after their late journey.

Both those gentlemen were however too interested in the service in which they were engaged to remain idle when they could be usefully employed.