424
NATIVE TRIBES OF SOUTH-EAST AUSTRALIA
CH.
Wolgal language, and therefore quite unintelligible to the Kurnai.
Mragula's Song.
| Burraburai | | baiajanu | | kumber-neino | | wurgaiama |
| Quickly | talking | to his mate | looking about. |
| ngillingua | | burbundu-malagua | | nunna |
| now | paddling | this side. |
Many other songs could be given, but these will suffice
FIG. 24.—A KURNAI BARK CANOE.
to show their character. Nor is it necessary for me to do more than point out that the comic songs all relate, so far as I know, to some passing event. A favourite song of this kind with the Murring is about "going to Melbourne in the steamer," and I have heard the Kurnai sing one inviting a friend to come to a "cool shady place with a bottle." I regret that I have not been able to pay more attention to this branch of my subject, namely, the songs of the Australian aborigines. There is something to be learned from them as to their mental condition and their intellectual