The general story of the studies I am to describe is that of the tragedy of an Australian drought. The details are those of part of a series of investigations on the vegetation of the pastoral areas and its uses. I believe they may be ‘of some interest to members of the Society and the Institute, as observations on sheep behaviour played a most important part in giving us a practical solution in one locality to the main problem of saving some of the drought-stricken stocks. I should like to mention here the valuable work of G. F. Melville who carried out most of the field observations under great difficulties, and F. Lefroy, manager of Boolardy Station. First, the general picture.