By E. T LITTLEJOHNS

and S. A

FOR THE PEOPLE

FOR EDVCATION

FOR SCIENCE

LIBRARY

OF

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY

BIRDS OF OUR "BUSH

Or

THOTOQRAPHY FOR dNATURE-LOVERS

Wliite-browcd \\'oo(l SwuIIdw on nest.

CI ■ii.i

BIRDS OF
OUR BUSH

OR ■■-' ■ ;;.;. _ ,,_ ^ ,
Thotography for (flVature-Lovers

BY

R. T. LITTLEJOHNS and
S. A. LAWRENCE

Members of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union

and

Nature Photographers' Club of Austraha

With an Introduction by

J. A. Leach, D.Sc.

Colonial Member British Ornithologists' Union and
Vice-President Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union

ILLUSTRATED FROM THOTOQRAPHS
BY THE (^AUTHORS

MELBOURNE

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington, N.Z.
and London.

WHITCOMBE & TOMBS LIMITED

Y (, A f. }: I J

az.3<le> x^-G^^. ^s'

INTRODUCTION

IN the early days of the Gould League of Bird Lovers,
the executive secretary, Mr. H, W. Wilson, B.Sc. (now
Major Wilson, O.B.E., M.C.), drew my attention to the
fine work being done with a cheap camera by two
young bird-lovers. Great things were then predicted of
the youthful nature photographers. The pictures published
in this volume enable readers to judge how well those
predictions have been fulfilled.

Fortunately, the two authors have grown up in the best
traditions of the League, and have fully kept their pledge
not to destroy our native birds and to do all possible to
influence others in the same direction. Doubtless their
published work for years to come will further assist in
bird protection, for this volume promises to be but the
first of an important series.

Later, when the young enthusiasts, feeling themselves
cramped by the narrow limits of the area available to them,
and regretting that they had not the chance of doing work
of value or importance, asked the writer for advice, they
were assured that their own locality was the proper place
for work, and were advised to know their own district first.
Thus they would lay the foundation of a knowledge of birds
generally, and acquire sufficient information and experience
to attack, at a later date, the study of the birds of any other
locality. The distribution of birds is remarkably uniform,
owing to their powers of rapid and easy locomotion ; so the
knowledge of the birds of one locality is a good starting-
point for the study of the birds of any other region.

The authors have devoted themselves steadily to faith-
ful work in their own region, and have achieved success,

INTRODUCTION

renown, and a place amongst the leading bird-photographers
of Australia. Many of their pictures have been accepted
for publication in "The Emu," the official journal of the
Royal Australian Ornithologists' Union, and admittedly
one of the best-produced journals in the world. The orni-
thological facts recorded can be accepted as scientifically
correct.

The book will be very valuable to those desiring help
in becoming photographers, and also to those desiring to
obtain a good knowledge of local birds. Prompted by the
example of these successful naturalists, boys and girls
will learn that there is no royal road to success, but that
patience, work, and steady effort command and almost
invariably achieve success.

Such faithful work cannot be done by any student
without his gaining a real first-hand knowledge of the
subjects treated. Already the authors have won an assured
place as knowing thoroughly much of the life history of
several characteristic Australian birds. Indeed, the success
achieved has placed them in the front rank of Australian
ornithologists and naturalists.

It is hoped that many will follow in their footsteps
and develop an interest in the Australian avifauna, one
of the richest in the world, but one which is, unfortu-
nately, passing away before the "advance of civilisation,"
Many of our birds seem doomed to extinction. The lyre-
bird, so well treated later, will, we fear, cease to be heard
in the beautiful gullies described. The fox has discovered
the nest, usually so easily reached ; and the one egg or
chick is often destroyed. It is hoped that the attempt to
introduce the lyre-bird into Tasmania will be successful,
for the fox has not reached that island. The lyre-bird,
though confined to the region adjacent to the mountains,
practically from Melbourne to Brisbane, is still destroyed
for the plume trade and for so-called "scientific specimens."
Permits should not be issued to private collectors desiring
skins of lyre-birds ; and, of course, no export of the beau-
tiful tail-feathers should be permitted. It is not long since
120 such feathers were listed for a London plume sale. As
only two of the broad feathers are in each tail, at least sixty
male birds in good plumage must have been destroyed for
that one sale.

INTRODUCTION

Especially notable is the success achieved by the enthu-
siastic authors in the study of the mistletoe-bird, the
Swallow Dicaeum, or flower-pecker, of gorgeous plumage.
This bird is found through the islands to India. Wherever
the bird is found, this mistletoe is found ; and wherever the
mistletoe is, there is the bird — a most interesting partner-
ship of a plant and bird. Both are absent from Tasmania
— evidently Bass Strait was formed before either reached
so far south. Messrs. Littlejohns and Lawrence have added
to human knowledge by their observations of this bird and
its family life.

It is remarkable how often it happens that there is in
Australia just one species of a family well developed else-
where. Thus Australia has one stork, one crane, one
bustard, one roller, one swan, and one flower-pecker.

Another family of birds of similar range reaching from
India is the wood-swallow, finely depicted on page 151. The
wood-swallow, strictly so called, is a stationary bird, but
the white-browed and masked species mentioned are
migratory birds.

Bird migration is a branch of bird-lore not so well
known to Australians as to the inhabitants of some older
settled countries. In our winterless climate, there is not
the strong regular migration seen in northern colder lands.
Still Australian migrations possibly surpass most others
in romantic interest. Fancy the journey between Australia
and Siberia made twice annually by not fewer than thirty-
five species of our birds ! Members of six of these species
even reach New Zealand and return to the Arctic each
year. Then there is the fairly regular annual migration
north to Queensland, and possibly to New Guinea, of some
of our cuckoos, the bee-eater, the roller, and many other
birds. There are also partial migrants, such as the robins,
which retire to the mountain gullies or to Tasmania to
breed, and later return to the houses and towns for the
winter. Here, too, must be grouped, though the movement
is less regular, the travelling flocks of lorikeets — "green
keets" — that follow flowering eucalypts from Queensland
to Victoria, just as shearers work south from shed to shed.

Worthy of record, too, are the irregular nomadic move-
ments of quail, cockatoo-parrots, many water birds and

INTRODUCTION

others, when drought drives them in some seasons far
south, as it did in 1919 and the beginning of 1920. Many
facts recorded by the authors in this volume will help to
a fuller knowledge of Australian bird migrations.

One pleasing and perhaps unexpected result of the work
of Messrs. Littlejohns and Lawrence is to prove that photo-
graphy is not necessarily an expensive hobby. The appara-
tus they used was of the simplest and of moderate cost.
The directions so clearly given will enable many to follow
in their footsteps. May their effort meet with the public
recognition it deserves.

J. A. Leach.

PREFACE

THE object of this book is definite and restricted. No
claim is made on its behalf to rank as a complete
or a scientific treatise on Australian birds. It is
simply a record of eleven years' work — if a pleasant
occupation may be termed work — among the native birds
of a limited portion of our great Continent, and a testimony
in pictures to the possibilities of Nature photography.

Our decision, as young observers entirely unequipped
in literary ability, to commit our experiences to writing, was
a momentous one. The idea originated in a deep desire
to see placed in the hands of the public, especially of the
younger generation, a volume which would set out clearly
the possibilities and the accessibility of bird observation by
means of the camera. We are convinced that the object
of such a publication will commend itself to Nature lovers
as well as to photographers.

The possibilities of bird photography, we know, are not
for the first time herein demonstrated, as there are already
books available which contain excellent pictures of Austra-
lian birds in their natural surroundings.

The accessibility of this method of study to the observer
of slender means, however, has not hitherto been touched
upon, and it is in this direction that we hope our book may
justify its existence. For some reason unexplained, bird
photography has been regarded as an expensive hobby.
The results we have been able to obtain, with an inexpen-
sive outfit and without travelling *far afield, should help to
dispel such an idea.

The photographs reproduced represent the best of some
hundreds of studies taken during pleasant week-end
acquaintanceship with the bush and its inhabitants. There
are no faked pictures, no tame birds, no wounded subjects.
Our plant, moreover, comprised only two cheap cameras, an

PREFACE

abundant supply of energy, and a considerable stock of
patience. Sometimes we were able to include, also, a
railway ticket to some country district near at hand.

Any trace of scientific ornithology which may be
found in the pages which follow has been admitted with
some misgiving, as we realise that this branch of bird-
study is mostly outside our realm. The scientific names
of the species mentioned have been included at the end of
the book simply and solely for the purpose of identification.
We cannot guarantee even that the nomenclature used will
please all ornithologists, but we intend to shelter in this
regard behind the excellent and common-sense "Australian
Bird Book," written by Dr. J. A. Leach, and produced by
the publishers of this volume. The help we have derived
in the field from the work of this writer has been con-
siderable.

Our chief indebtedness to Dr. Leach is of a more per-
sonal nature. His experienced advice on many questions
has simplified our work, and besides he has written the
Introduction to this book. In return for the valuable time
he has thus spent, he asks but one thing: that we do all in
our power to further the cause of Nature Study.

In conclusion, we must make an acknowledgment of the
part played in the production of this volume by our parents
and by other members of our families. Without their
financial assistance during our younger days, and their
encouragement at all times, the photographic results we
have obtained would not have been possible. They also
placed at our disposal the house which has sheltered many
happy week-ends at Ferntree Gully. To Mr. R. W. Little-
johns our special thanks are due. From the outset he has
spared no pains and no expense to encourage us in our
efforts. Not only did he purchase one of the cameras we
still use, but also provided us with several pieces of
apparatus without which the task of preparing the illustra-
tions for this book would have been a heavy one indeed.

We feel sure that parental assistance, in money and
otherwise, corresponding to that which we were fortunate
enough to receive, will bring a deep and lasting satisfaction
to all whose children show a genuine desire to read from the
great open book of Nature.

R.T.L. AND S.A.L.

10

CONTENTS

Page

Introduction 5

Preface 9

List of Illustrations 13

PART I.— BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY.
Chapter

I. — On Collecting with a Camera 17

II.— The Apparatus 27

III. — Instructions in General 35

PART II.— SUBURBAN BIRDS.

IV. — Beginners' Subjects 63

v.— Tom-Tit, Chat and Blue Wren 67

VI. — Creek Lovers and Others 81

PART III.— BIRDS OF THE GUM-TREE AND PLAIN.

VII. — Popular Australians 101

VIII. — Numerous Small Subjects 115

IX.— Mistletoe Bird, Wood Swallow 139

PART IV.— BIRDS OF STREAM-SIDE AND TEA-
TREE SCRUBS.

X. — Yellow Robin, Honeyeaters and Others 155

XL — Fantails, Thrushes, Silver-eye 171

XII.— Coachwhip Bird 185

PART v.— BIRDS OF THE MOUNTAIN GULLIES.

XIIL— The Prince of Mocking Birds 191

XIV.— Other Rarities 197

Index 205

List of Scientific Names 207

11

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

White-browed Wood Swallow on Nest Fi^ontispiece

Page

Blue Wren (Female) 16

Blue Wren (Male) 19

White-shafted Fantail at Nest 21

Nest and Eggs of Coachwhip Bird 23

Orange-tipped Pardalote 26

Young Mountain Thrush 29

Welcome Swallow at Nest 32

Young Flame-breasted Robin 34

Photographing in an Elevated Position 39

Scarlet-breasted Robin on Nest 41

Brown Flycatcher on Nest 44

Yellow-breasted Robin and Nest 47

Striated Tit at Nest 49

White-plumed Honeyeater at Nest 51

Mistletoe Bird (Female) Feeding Young 54

Yellow-breasted Robin on Nest 57

Photographing the Rufous Fantail 59

Mistletoe Bird (Female) cleaning Nest . . . 62

Tom-Tit near Nest 66

White-fronted Chat (Female) at Nest 69

White-fronted Chat (Male) 71

Blue Wren (Male) in Characteristic Attitude 73

Blue Wren (Female) 75

Blue Wren (Male) 77

Nest of Brown Tit 80

Nest of White-browed Scrub Wren 83

White-browed Scrub Wren approaching Nest 85

Nests of Fairy Martin 87

Pipit, Nest and Young 89

Nest and Eggs of Reed Warbler 91

Spotted Pardalote (Fem.ale) near Nesting Burrow 93

Grass Bird with Insects 95

Young White-backed Magpie 98

Kookaburra 100

13

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

Striated Tit 105

White-browed Wood Swallow (Female) at Nest 107

Straw-necked Ibis Ill

Spotted Pardalote approaching Nesting Burrow 116

Orange-tipped Pardalote 119

Spinebill Honeyeater at Nest 121

Speckled Warbler at Nest 125

Nesting Site of Spotted Pardalote 128

Flame-breasted Robin (Male) 130

Brown Flycatcher settling on Eggs 133

Buff-tailed Tit 137

Nesting Site of Orange-tipped Pardalote 140

Mistletoe Bird (Female) at Nest 142

Mistletoe Bird (Male) about to Feed Young 145

Nest and Eggs of White-browed Wood Swallow 147

White-browed Wood Swallows Feeding Young 151

Yellow-faced Honeyeater at Nest 154

Yellow-breasted Robin 157

Spinebill Honeyeater 161

Rufous-breasted Whistler at Nest 163

Yellow-breasted Whistler on Nest 166

Black and White Fantail on Nest 170

White-shafted Fantail settling on Nest 173

Harmonious Shrike Thrush with Spider 175

Nest of Harmonious Shrike Thrush 179

Young Bronze Cuckoo in Nest of Striated Tit 181

Coachwhip Bird 184

Young Yellow-breasted Whistler 187

Dancing Mound of Lyre Bird 190

The Haunt of the Lyre Bird 193

Pilot Bird at Nest 199

Rufous Fantail on Nest 201

14

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

OR

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR NATURE LOVERS
PART I.

Bird Photography

15

nine ^^■^t■ll (female;

15

CHAPTER I.

On Collecting with a Camera.

THE reader even at this early stage has been made
aware that we have little knowledge of what is
generally accepted as scientific ornithology. The
reason is a twofold one. In the first place, our tra-
vels have been restricted to a comparatively narrow area
and, secondly, the problems of nomenclature and sub-division
of species interest us not at all. However, we take a suffi-
ciently broad view to realise that it is impossible that every-
one should view the latter question from our standpoint, and
we hope that the contents of this chapter will not be
regarded by scientific ornithologists as anything in the way
of recrimination. At the same time, we feel bound, in our
endeavour to popularise the method of observation which
we follow, to point out the advantages, as they appear to us,
of photography over the practice of collecting bird skins
and birds' eggs.

The value of collections of bird skins and birds' eggs to
the scientific ornithologist lies in the fact that, with a mass.
of material before him for comparison, he is able to place
the various specimens in what is considered their correct
scientific groups. The subdivision of the original groups
has been carried in these days to such a point that what
appears to the ordinary observer as one species of bird may
now be split up into several further divisions or sub-species.
The variations, moreover, which distinguish these sub-
species are so slight in many instances that a most minute
examination is necessary to determine the identity of the
specimen — hence its untimely end. Just where the
advantage of all this investigation comes in we, as laymen,
are unable to say. Certainly we can point to a serious dis-

17

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

advantage in the amount of slaughter entailed. A limited
display of mounted specimens in a public museum we con-
sider justifiable, by reason of a certain educational value,
but shapeless skins and empty egg shells are suitable only
for the cabinets of those interested in the problem of
nomenclature.

However, the primary object of this book is to demon-
strate the advantages of studying bird-life by means of
the camera, and not to discuss the disadvantages of other
methods. Notwithstanding many opinions to the contrary,
photography of birds, so far as its cost is concerned, is
within the reach of almost everyone. There are few people
indeed who cannot lay aside thirty shillings or so for the
purchase of a camera. That done, there is no more expense
connected with the photography of birds than with the
photography of anything else. Probably, indeed, there is
less, as the birds themselves can be relied upon to arrange
the number of plates which are to be exposed in a day.
Usually they are few. At the age of sixteen or so we
were not millionaires by any means, and we managed to
secure pictures without serious financial stress. Even now,
we would not be indulging our tastes for bird photography
if it were expensive.

Much of the interest of this branch of photography, of
course, depends upon the tendencies of the individual. A
person who finds no interest in Nature Study cannot expect
to find any great interest in Nature photography. We are
quite sure, however, that this method of observation would
be much more popular than it is amongst Nature-lovers
were its interest more fully realised. We have at one time
or another tried most forms of sport, and can say truthfully
that we know of no more exciting pastime. Fishing and
shooting we have sometimes found exciting, but the
remembrance of such occasions has soon faded. The
sense of excitement felt when a bird, perhaps a rare one,
approaches the correct position for photography, is intense,
and the memory of it, furthermore, is perpetuated if the
exposures made result in good pictures. A great deal of the
attraction of the hobby lies in the skill required both in the
field and in the dark room to produce convincing results.
For this reason successful photographs are far from
common — a fact which adds considerably to the satisfaction
felt when one is obtained.

18

Blue Wren (male)

19

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

The pictures themselves have a decided advantage over
the results of most other forms of sport. They are lasting,
and there can be no doubt that they form a most efficient
and easily distributed means of education. More especially
is their value apparent where young people are concerned.

The Nature photographer, too, is, or should be, a fairly
thorough observer. The time and patience required to
achieve success in the photography line leave plenty of
opportunity for studying the habits of the subjects. In
fact, success very often depends on the photographer's
knowledge of such matters.

Our chief argument in favour of photography as a
means of observation, however, is that the photographer,
in gaining his ends, need leave no trail of destruction in his
wake. The collector, whether he shoots the birds or takes
their eggs, has only desolation in one form or other upon
which to pride himself should he contemplate the result of
his day's work. The photographer, on the other hand,
leaves, or should leave, his subjects just as he found them,
and no worse for his interference. He may go back again
if he wishes, to observe the progress of his friends or to
picture some new phase of their lives.

As we read over what we have so far written regarding
our method of collecting and the other methods mentioned,
we are "amazed at our own moderation." We could say
much more were it not that we consider the foregoing
arguments sufficient for most people. One thing we will
admit. We have not attempted to find any respects in
which these other methods may be an improvement upon
ours. But we grudge no egg or skin collector his
undoubted right to enlarge on the subject from his stand-
point.

When carried out with sound common sense the pursuit
of such a necessarily out-door occupation as Nature
photography cannot be otherwise than healthy, biit such
practices as lying on wet ground and standing in water are
often indulged in by enthusiasts. Sane persons, however,
will not risk their health in these directions. We have, so
far, felt no ill effects as a result of a fair experience of such
foolishness, but others may not be so fortunate. The
amount of out-door exercise which the production of the
pictures in this book has involved would probably come as
a surprise to most. Certainly it goes a long way towards

20

White-sliafted Fantail at nest.

21

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

explaining our gaunt and underfed appearance as indicated
in some of the photographs.

Upper Ferntree Gully has been our principal hunting
ground, and here we were so fortunate as to have the con-
venience of a week-end house as headquarters. Further,
the Ferntree Gully district is a fine one for this class of
observation. Our visits to the locality usually commenced
in July and ended in January. In this time it was not
unusual for us to spend at the house twenty-six week-ends,
working hard all the while. The few intervening week-
ends were spent at Greensborough or some other favourite
locality.

The July and August visits to the Gully were parti-
cularly strenuous and uncomfortable, our object being
to discover the nest of the Lyre Bird, odd pairs of which
still survive the gun and the fox in the deep gullies
thereabout. Our quest led us through the roughest
and dampest country in the roughest and dampest
weather. Often we followed on hands and knees for
miles through mud and slush as the birds worked from
one gully to another, disturbing the while quantities of the
soft loam with their large powerful feet in their search for
food. Frequently we were within a few feet of them on
such occasions, or as the male danced on its mound. Yet
our quest of a nest has so far been in vain. By the end
of August numerous species had commenced nest building
in the open country, and we transferred our attentions
thence. During these week-end jaunts wind and weather
caused no abatement of our efforts. Darkness alone
deterred us. Such trifles as meals and the like were for-
gotten while daylight lasted, and not infrequently Satur-
day night's tea was our only proper meal from Friday to
Monday.

We have visited many other localities within easy
reach of Melbourne, and of course we could not boast a
week-end house at each. When we found it necessary to
spend the night at Greensborough, Evelyn, Eltham, or else-
where, we either sat before a fire or walked all night. We
have never yet been able to sleep on any kind of camping
trip. We must be colder mortals than most. Probably
we are, for companions who sometimes accompanied us, not
only succeeded in sleeping through the coldest nights, but
also in spoiling what little chance we had of doing likewise

22

Nest and Eggs of Coaclnvhip Bird.

2i

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

by the audible nature of their contentment. When on bird
photography expeditions we were usually alone.

We have a most vivid remembrance of one night spent
beside a small creek at Evelyn. We wished to obtain a
picture of the parents of the little Mountain Thrush, whose
portrait appears on page 29, and decided to build ourselves
a comfortable mia-mia (if such a mia-mia can be imagined)
beside the nest. Oh ! and we had a camp bed, too, a luxury
we seldom thought of and never felt like carrying. Half-
way from the station to the creek it started to rain — rain
properly and thoroughly. By the time we reached the
nest we were wet, the bed and bed clothes w^ere wet, and
all the material with which we had hoped to build a shelter
was well and truly wet. The wood which should have
made us a fire was also wet, and it was almost dark. After
scraping under logs and in hollow trees for an hour or so,.
and wasting countless matches, we at last succeeded in
starting a fire. We sat by it till daylight. All this we
would have felt thoroughly worth while had we, after all,
accomplished our object, but we did not. Those perverse
parents point blank refused to feed their children while the
camera faced in their direction. We tried our patience
against theirs for a considerable time — and they won.

Evelyn was unkind to us on another occasion. One
ominous-looking morning we disregarded our better judg-
ment and embarked on a day's ramble. The extent of the
ramble turned out to be from the Evelyn station to a large
hollow log not far from the scene of our previous little
comedy, and back to the station after the lapse of several
interesting hours. Our chief amusement during this time
consisted of guessing competitions as to whose neck the next
drop of water would choose. On this occasion, however,
the discomforts of the hollow log and of a subsequent two
hours' train journey in sodden clothes was almost compen-
sated for by the production of a picture which, though by no
means good, still is highly prized by reason of the difficulties
under which it was taken. Not far from the log a pair of
Scarlet-breasted Robins had a nest in a pile of wood, and
in desperation we decided to brave the elements in an
attempt to expose a plate or two. What little doubt there
was as to whether we were already thoroughly wet was
dispelled completely before the photograph reproduced on
page 41 was obtained. The necessity for a lengthy

24

ON COLLECTING WITH A CAMERA

exposure added to our difficulties. The memory of these
incidents, and many others besides, are called up before our
minds as we look through our album of prints, and we
become still more convinced that the results we have
obtained would give us considerably less satisfaction but for
the individual associations of each picture.

The amount of walking and climbing involved in the
pursuit of photographs caused us to feel rather lost when
the nesting season was at an end. To fill the gap some-
what we have indulged in several walking tours of greater
or less duration. These are now pleasant memories also,
but cannot well claim relationship with the object of this
book. One thing we would say, however, for the benefit of
those who may feel a disposition towards this particular
form of discomfort, "Don't load yourself up with all the
comforts of home, or you will be sorry." On the other hand
it is essential, if the trip is to be at all enjoyable, to carry
sufficient covering to make the nights bearable and sleep
possible.

We venture to suggest to the parents of any growing
boy, that they should place no unnecessary obstacle in the
way of his study of Nature if he is disposed that way — that
they should in fact encourage him as far as possible. We
firmly believe that such action will never be regretted.

25

(")range-tii)])i'(l I'ai'dalote.

26

CHAPTER 11.

The Apparatus.

THE increased interest evident recently in Nature
Photography has prompted us to devote a consider-
able space to such description of suitable apparatus,
and to such instruction in its use as our experi-
ence enables us to offer. It must nevertheless be borne in
mind that no amount of instruction nor advice can make a
successful bird photographer. The observer must meet
and overcome his own particular difficulties and buy his
success with actual experience. Our efforts may serve at
best to allow the beginner to start a little farther along the
road than we ourselves did. We would have found a little
advice, such as that included in this and the following
chapter, very helpful in our early and youthful experience.
As an instance, had we known that it was altogether imprac-
ticable to obtain pictures at close quarters with a camera, the
construction of which did not admit of accurate focussing,
we would have avoided the waste of several dozen plates.
It is in the hope of preventing a repetition of the discour-
agement we felt at these, our first attempts, that we have,
even at the risk of inflicting wearisome details, made these
hints as complete as possible for the benefit of those who
may find bird photography a congenial hobby.

The very first word of encouragement we wish to give is
that anything elaborate and expensive in the way of outfit
is unnecessary. Most of the photographs illustrating these
pages were taken with cameras costing thirty shillings and
four pounds respectively. Further, quite as satisfactory
pictures have been obtained with the thirty shilling one

27

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

as with that costing the greater sum. We could go fur-
ther still and say that some of our illustrations are
the work of a magazine or box camera, costing ten
shillings only. As we have hinted previously, however,
a box camera is not advisable for this work, and the dis-
abilities under which we laboured while using one would
have probably damped the ardour of most. It is much
better that the beginner should purchase a camera giving
reasonable facilities even if it should mean, as it did to us,
a period of "saving up."

The idea that an expensive outfit is indispensable is held
by many. Even so keen a naturalist as Mr. Donald
MacDonald, of the Melbourne "Argus," once advised a
correspondent to this effect. We can only say that we are
quite satisfied with our low-priced apparatus, and will
leave the reader to judge the results obtained by their use.

Perhaps the first question which a beginner must decide
is the size of the camera to be used. We have always used
quarter-plate ourselves, and this appears to us very suit-
able. We certainly should not advise any smaller pat-
tern. Many naturalists use half-plate ; but it must be
remembered that the cost of half-plate material is now-
double or more that of quarter-plate. The difference in
weight and size is also a consideration, when there is much
walking to be done. Still, it cannot be gainsaid that half-
plate pictures look very impressive as against the smaller
size. On the other hand, the small negatives, or such of
them as are worthy, will yield half-plate enlargements
which will compare very favourably with the direct prints
from the larger size. Again, if a plate is wasted — and
many a one certainly will be — the loss of a quarter-plate is
much less serious than that of a half-plate. A plan adopted
by some is to use quarter-plates in a half-plate camera by
means of carriers fitted inside the dark slides. However,
we have always regarded the slight advantages gained by
this method as insufficient to justify the carrying of the
extra weight. There is also a reason, which involves a
knowledge of optics and is too advanced to be set out here,
why the short focus lens provided in smaller cameras is
more suitable for this class of work than the longer focus
ones fitted to larger patterns. The illustrations in this
book are printed from enlargements of quarter-plate
pictures.

28

Young IVrountain Thrush.

29

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

Whether quarter-plate or any other size, however, the
camera, to be of any use, must be capable of extension, and
must admit of focussing on a ground-glass screen. This
is a most important requirement, and precludes the use of
the popular film camera. While dealing with the question
of extension, it may be as well to state our opinion that the
bellows should be sufficiently long to allow of objects near
the camera being brought into sharp focus. Our pictures
are taken, as a rule, with the lens little more that eighteen
inches from the subject, and a fairly long extension is
usually necessary in order that this may be done. Few
photographers, we believe, operate from such short range;
but it has always been our aim to give a closer and there-
fore a more detailed view of the subject than is usually
possible with the eye. The question of nearness to the
subject is, of course, a matter to be decided by the indivi-
dual taste of the photographer ; but, whatever the distance,
it should be proved before the apparatus is purchased, that
it will meet requirements in this direction. This may be
very simply done by extending the bellows to the full, and
by measuring the distance at which an electric or other
lamp is sharply outlined upon the focussing screen.

The lens is held by many to be a most important part of
the apparatus. Our experience has been that the cheaper
of our cameras, with the less expensive lens, has produced
pictures every bit as sharp as has the more expensive one.
Even the old magazine camera, with a lens valued at only
a few shillings, was responsible for pictures which were
passable at any rate, and, with proper facilities for focuss-
ing, would probably have compared favourably with the
rest of our work.

The shutter is a most important item. Its chief re-
quirements are that it should be easily and conveniently
released, and that it should be as noiseless as possible. A
stiffiy-working shutter is always liable to cause vibration
of the camera when operated from a distance in the way
we suggest later on. Even the least expensive of folding
cameras will be fitted with a shutter which allows both time
and instantaneous exposures. The division of the instan-
taneous exposure, however, into diff"erent speeds, such as
1/25, 1/50, and 1/100 of a second will be provided only in
the more expensive models. The provision of these dif-
ferent speeds is an advantage occasionally, but we have

30

THE APPARATUS

found the one-speed shutter, which usually works at about
1/25 of a second, to answer all our requirements. If the
form of release lends itself to the adoption of such a method,
we recommend a length of cotton or thread as the best
means of making exposures from a distance. Certainly
it has the great virtue of cheapness.

The bird-photographer, especially, should be careful to
choose a camera with strong bellows, and should
examine them frequently for traces of pinholes which
are liable to make their appearance at the corners.
If these pinholes occur, and are not remedied, they
are almost certain, on account of the length of
time for which the camera is usually exposed in strong
light, to result in the appearance of peculiar curved
markings on the negative. Following the invariable
course of all defects, these markings are certain to place
themselves in the most noticeable positions. For a con-
siderable time, a few years ago, almost every negative we
developed was affected in this way to a greater or less
degree. Many fine series of pictures were spoiled before
the defect was discovered. Our disappointment in some
of these cases was so keen that we go so far as to repro-
duce one of the spoiled pictures here for the sole purpose
of enabling a beginner to at once put his finger on the
trouble should similar defects at any time occur in his
negatives.

Of the camera itself, there appears little more to say
except that its general build should incline towards strength
rather than towards elegance. The necessity for strength
will be realised when the reader learns that our apparatus
have many times been exposed in the rain and even left
standing an inch deep in water, besides having received a
full measure of the falls which are almost unavoidable
when one is working in windy weather.

With all focussing cameras it is necessary to have dark
slides or carriers for the plates. These should be care-
fully tested with a view to ensuring that they are as light-
tight as possible when fitted in the camera, and the cover
withdrawn. The length of time during which the slide
necessarily remains exposed in the glaring sunlight, fre-
quently deprived by the wind of the protection afforded by
the focussing cloth, is a severe test on the closest-fitting
slide. With this fact in mind, it is as well to provide

31

Welcome Swallow at iicst.

(The niaiks below the bird were caused bj' j)in holes in the

camera bellows.)

32

THE APPARATUS

oneself with a focussing cloth of as thick material as con-
venient, and to have it provided with metal rings and a
cord in order that it may be easily secured to the
camera or tripod. The cloths we use are made of two
thicknesses of material, the inner one black and the outer
one as natural-looking a shade of green as was obtainable.

Although we carried on for a considerable time without
one, the convenience of a cheap tripod is not to be over-
looked. Our first "tripod" was of a very cheap variety.
It consisted of three sticks picked up at random about the
scene of operations, bound together with string, and having
a platform of bark or other material on top to hold the
camera. We have gone ahead a little since that, how-
ever, and the class of tripod we now use is shown on page
39. We have found that the expenditure of a few
shillings in this direction was quite justified. Latterly we
have provided for ourselves also a light-tight changing bag,
in which the dark-slides may be emptied or filled in day-
light. This is of decided advantage, though not a neces-
sity, the chief point in its favour being that, with its use,
the number of dark-slides purchased need not be so large.
The bag we use is home-made, square in shape, and built
of two thicknesses of close material, with armholes and
sleeves at two of the corners. The inside thickness of
material being red, and the outside one black, ensures its
safety even in sunlight, while an elastic band round the end
of each sleeve keeps it tight upon the arm.

Our only other gear is a reel of black cotton or thread
with which to release the shutter. Many photographers
use a considerable length of rubber tubing for this purpose ;
but we have found the cotton to act very well, and
certainly recommend its use where the form of the shutter
is suitable. The tubing takes up much more room than
does the cotton, is very liable to perish, and — most impor-
tant— is fairly costly. It is absolutely necessary that the
thread used be black ; otherwise its movement at, or imme-
diately before, the exposure will scare any but an exceed-
ingly trustful subject. Black thread is almost invisible,
a fact which the photographer will realise when he would
avoid becoming entangled therein.

33

Youii"' Flanie-breasteil Uiibin.

34

CHAPTER III.

Instructions in General.

IN this chapter we wish to group some little advice on
the use of the apparatus described in the previous one.
These hints are intended primarily for the assistance
of the novice who may derive some help from them
until such time as he is able to supplant them, in whole or in
part, by a new code of rules based on his own experiences.
Even the experienced photographer may possibly find
amongst them something new. Many of the matters
referred to in this chapter may be found to be repeated in
the chapters describing our experiences. They are col-
lected here, however, for the sake of convenience.

It may first be mentioned that the photography of birds,
as we carry it out, is practicable, as a rule, only during the
nesting season, and in the vicinity of the nest or young of
the subjects. This follows from the fact that some strong
influence is necessary to attract the bird to a position a
few inches only from the camera. On occasions we have
been able to obtain pictures without any such influence,
but these instances are always rare. It is an advantage,
therefore, for the photographer to have at least some
knowledge of the time and place at which nests of the
different species are likely to be found. With this idea
in mind we have included in the chapters which follow as
many observations as has been possible on the habits of the
different species.

The ordinary nesting season in Victoria extends from
about August to December, although many nests will be
found both earlier and later than these months. As to

35

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

locality, we have no hesitation in. saying that, notwith-
standing the undeniable fact that many rare and interest-
ing birds are found almost exclusively in the deep mountain
gully, the right and proper locality for the beginner is that
growth of small trees and shrubs which marks the course
of some stream through open or lightly-timbered country.
Our reason for recommending such a locality is twofold.
In the first place, the smaller native birds nest in greater
numbers in the class of country such as that around
Eltham, Greensborough and Ringwood, than they do
in the deep forest. Secondly — and most importantly —
a good deal of experience and knowledge is usually neces-
sary to enable the photographer to overcome the disabilities
as to lighting which the dense timber imposes. However,
whether the beginner takes or disregards this advice, he
will do well to remember that the belt of country within
a few hundred yards on either side of a stream, wherever it
may be, is the favourite haunt of small birds.

The location of the nests themselves will perhaps appear
to some such an easy matter as to render advice in this
direction unnecessary. Our personal experience, however,
of the number of nests which are passed unnoticed by the
keenest observer prompts us to venture a few suggestions.
The beginner is fairly certain to adopt the amateur plan of
peering to right and left in search of the nests which
happen to be directly along his path. A more satisfactory
method, both from the point of view of interest and of
efficiency, is to allow the birds themselves, by their move-
ments, to point the way to their homes. It is a surprising
fact that, if the observer sits or stands quietly and watches
the movements of the birds about him, he will in a few
minutes probably locate several nests where a haphazard
search would have revealed none at all. We have always
found our lunch-time spent in a likely locality to be
specially productive in this direction. We do not wish it
to be understood that we do not also keep a very sharp look-
out for nests even in the absence of the birds. Some classes
of nest show very little attempt at concealment. The
observer should also inform himself, if possible, of the
usual situation of the nest whose owner he happens to have
under observation, and also of the period of the year during
which nests may be expected. By this means he averts
the very considerable danger of a painstaking search for

36

INSTRUCTIONS IN GENERAL

the nest of an habitual ground-builder in the branches of a
tree on which the bird happens to perch.

We will assume that the photographer has located one
or more nests. It is not by any means every nest or every
pair of birds which lends itself readily to photography, and
very often it would be a waste of time to attempt it. The
observer, then, must decide each case on its merits. It
may be that the position of the nest is such as to render it
impracticable to set up the camera, especially as we would
urge that the nests be not unduly interfered with. There
may also be insurmountable difficulties in the way of ensur-
ing a sufficiently strong light for a short exposure. By
far the most frequent trouble, however, is with the owners
of the nest. In the case of the position of the nest, it may
be said with a certain amount of truth that "where there
is a will there is a way," but if the "sitter" will not sit
there is an end of it.

The trustfulness of any proposed victim may often
be roughly judged by parting the branches in front
of its home and by placing a hat, focussing cloth or,
in fact, anything unusual in the vicinity. The bird's
actions will then usually indicate its temperament.
As a rule, it is useless to attempt photography at a
nest in which the eggs have not yet been laid. It is a
trustful bird indeed which can be induced to face the camera
without some greater attraction than an empty nest. On
the other hand, a great number of birds which present great
difficulties at any other time will be more or less easily
dealt with when the nest contains eggs heavily incubated,
or young ones newly hatched. Care must be taken on such
occasions, however, that the subject be not kept too long
from the nest; otherwise the eggs or young may be
destroyed.

In setting up the camera, the operator's action will, of
course, be guided by circumstances. But there are a few
general rules which may be safely followed. In the first
place, the camera must be placed in such a position as to
keep the source of light nearly directly behind the appara-
tus. This precaution obviates the danger of heavy shadows
on the print obliterating the detail of portion of the sub-
ject. When the source of light is well behind the camera,
any shadow thrown by the bird will be on the far side, and
will not appear to any extent on the negative. So strongly

37

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

do we feel on the necessity of this precaution that in some
few cases, where it has been impracticable to carry it into
effect, we have packed up without exposing a plate, no
matter how desirable the subject. The source of light
may with advantage be very slightly to one side or other,
however, in order that a slight shadow may give an appear-
ance of relief to the result.

Another good rule is to picture the subject from as
nearly as possible the view-point of the ordinary observer.
In this regard we have a notion that the pictures one so
often sees of nests and eggs taken from directly above, or
of birds taken from almost directly beneath are unnatural
in the extreme. In dealing with nests of eggs our invari-
able practice is to incline the camera only slightly down-
ward, in order that a portion of the inside of the nest and a
portion of the eggs may appear. We regard it as unneces-
sary to show the whole of the eggs ; but we realise, never-
theless, that such matters are largely a question of taste.

The most important item of all, however, in the set-up
of the camera is its distance from the subject. As we
have mentioned previously, we are advocates of bird-
photography from very close range, and regard eighteen
to twenty inches as a satisfactory distance between the
lens and a small bird. No doubt many readers, especially
those with a knowledge of photography, will regard this
range as unnecessarily close, and indeed few, if any, other
operators in this line regard such close work as necessary.
Any Nature-lover will admit that much of the charm of
Nature Study arises out of the fact that the observer sees
and knows the wild things of the bush more closely than
the average person, and that from this very nearness there
becomes apparent a great deal of beauty which is lost from
a greater distance. Our contention is that a photograph,
if it is to realise fully its possibilities, must re-produce this
sense of nearness.

If the reader will examine the pictures which illus-
trate this book, he will realise that the details of build
and plumage there depicted are such as will not, as a
rule, be apparent when observing the birds with the eye.
Most persons, for instance, know the Blue Wren. How
many can say, however, that they have been able to pick
out the details of plumage as the picture on page 19 shows
them? As a practical illustration in this direction, we

38

Pliotograpliing in an Elevated Position.

39

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

have included the picture on page 47, which will show the
lack of detail in a photograph taken at a distance even
slightly greater than usual. However, we wish to do no
more than give the beginner the benefit of any experience
we have had, and this question, as all others, must be
decided by the taste and judgment of the photographer.
When dealing with larger subjects, of course, the distance
must be so increased as to cause the bird to occupy about
the same area on the plate.

Before we leave the question of the position of the
camera, we wish to draw attention to another common
failing in bird pictures — one which, too often, is un-
avoidable to some extent. A glance at the picture of
a Straw-necked Ibis, appearing on page 111, would give
the impression that the bird represented was several
feet in height, or at any rate much larger than a
person acquainted with the bird knows to be the case. The
reason for this unnatural appearance is the fact that the
picture was taken with the camera (the old magazine one
at the time) fastened to the ground at so low a level as to
silhouette the bird against the trees and sky and to place
it in direct contrast to the large building in the back-
ground. This example only goes further to support our
idea that the camera should, where possible, be placed so as
to look downward slightly on the subject.

When it happens that the tripod used is not high enough
to support the camera in the required position, we always
contrive to attain the necessary elevation by placing the
tripod on a rough staging rather than by adding to the
length of its legs. Sufficient logs, poles or other material
may usually be collected about the locality, and some stout
string does wonders in keeping these together. This rough
structure, besides giving stability to the camera when
worked by a thread, serves as a foothold for the operator
as he focusses. These stagings of ours have many times
been the cause of much merriment amongst other photo-
graphers, who never seem to accept our very kind invitation
to use them when they accompany us. We must admit
that a few times our structures have "let us down" at a
critical moment, but we nevertheless prefer them to the
great wobbly, unwieldly legs which other observers'
cameras are obliged to assume. Our sentiments towards
the above-mentioned means of elevation must be somewhat

40

Scarlet-breasted Robin on nest.

41

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

akin to that expressed by a very much married companion
when he assured us after a particularly violent domestic
"wind-storm" that he "loved her for her very perverse-
ness."

The success of any Nature picture depends almost
entirely upon the degree of sharpness with which the sub-
ject is outlined. In many branches of photography a
slight lack of focus or "fuzziness" is allowable — in fact,
sought after. In dealing with Nature subjects, however,
the object of the photographer should be to convey to the
person viewing the picture a clear idea of the appearance
of the subject. The smallest detail should be distinguish-
able and perfectly sharp. To obtain pictures approximat-
ing to this standard, a great deal of trouble and care is
required, and, incidentally, considerable contributions made
to the "scrap-heap." It is rarely possible to obtain pic-
tures which are clear and sharp in every detail, but the
measure of success we have been able to attain in this
direction is the result of a good deal of painstaking work.
A little experiment will convince the beginner that if he
uses his camera at a distance of twenty inches or so from
the subject, the depth of that part of the field which will be
in sharp focus is very slight. If, for instance, an object
at a distance of exactly twenty inches is correctly and
accurately focussed it is probable — almost certain — that a
movement of the object half an inch forward or backward
will result in the sharpness being almost wholly destroyed.
That being so, the necessity for great care in focussing will
be apparent. The adjustment of the lens to such a posi-
tion as will render the focus sharp is, as a rule, not possible
while viewing the bird itself upon the focussing screen. It
therefore becomes necessary to focus on some object placed
temporarily in the position which it is expected that the
bird subject will occupy, and to make the exposure later
when it does occupy exactly that position.

The first thing for the photographer to do is to choose
some point at or near the nest on which it may be expected
that the bird will perch. This is usually not a very diffi-
cult matter. If the nest happens to be an open cup-
shaped one, the most likely part of the edge of the nest
itself may be so selected. Where a picture of the bird on
the nest is desired, the dummy to be focussed upon may
easily be placed in such a position as will ensure sharpness

42

INSTRUCTIONS IN GENERAL

when the bird sits on its nest. In other cases one cannot be
certain just where the subject will perch, but it will usually
be found that the bird, in approaching its nest or young-,
will make use of the highest and most prominent points, so
that the choice of some such point near to the centre of
attraction will be fairly safe.

The plan we adopt to ensure accurate focussing is to
place in the desired position a dummy specially made
and alwaj^s carried (when it is not forgotten). The
one we have used successfully consists of a piece of
stick about the length and thickness through of an
average small bird, and tapered to a point at either end.
The central portion admits of due allowance being made,
when focussing, for the curve of the bird's body, while the
tapered ends form a guide to the position which the head
and the tail will occupy. We always make a point of
reserving the point of sharpest focus for the position in
which it is judged the bird's head will appear, as on the
sharpness of this portion of the picture depends, to a great
extent, its success. The dummy, whether shaped as we
recommend or otherwise, should have a surface showing
plenty of detail, or may have printed paper gummed to it
in order that the point of sharpest focus may be accurately
judged.

Too much importance cannot be attached to the
accuracy of focus if the picture is to be satisfactory, and
the operator should take sufficient time to be sure that
nothing is left to chance. Perhaps the awe-inspiring
difficulties we have pictured even thus far may tend to
defeat our object and to influence the beginner to make his
exposures from a greater distance than we recommend,
more especially as he will soon find that the difficulties we
have mentioned decrease as the distance between the lens
and the subject increases.

We have a little brief for our method up our sleeve,
however. Experts who have commented on our work
have specially praised two features. The first is the
accuracy of the focussing. We have already mentioned one
of the reasons for this virtue. We leave no stone unturned
to make the focus accurate, and besides we turn out any
plate which is not quite up to standard. The other feature
is the pleasing way our backgrounds have of forming them-
selves into shadowy distances, which add to the pictorial

43

Brown Flycatcher on nest.

44

INSTRUCTIONS IN GENERAL

quality of the picture, and do not draw the attention from
the central figure. This fact we consider a very strong
justification for the shortness of the range at which we
work. The reader must accept our assurance that we
have not in a single instance made up the background in
any way. The shadowy appearance is the natural result
of making the exposures from close quarters. We men-
tioned previously that objects slightly before or behind the
spot focussed upon are not likely to be sharp. As the
distance from the focussed point is increased, this lack of
sharpness becomes more and more marked, until objects at
a distance of a few inches beyond the subject resolve them-
selves into a pleasingly shaded background.

The camera finally placed in position and focussed, the
operator should, before he retires to a distance (if such a
course be necessary), satisfy himself that the shutter is
operated satisfactorily by the thread. In fact, we make
it a practice to go through the whole performance with the
exception of the insertion of the plate to make sure that
nothing has been forgotten, A shutter which requires re-
setting after each exposure has been mentioned previously
as an advantage. We may here state the reasons. In the
first place it affords a direct proof, often very necessary
when working at a distance, as to whether an exposure has
actually been made. Secondly, it obviates the dire effects
often caused by the operator becoming entangled in the
thread as he proceeds to change a plate. This happens
more often than the beginner will anticipate, and terms too
strong for print are required to express adequately the
feelings of the photographer who, after taking what he is
confident is the best picture of the season, ties himself up
in the elusive black thread and makes a second exposure on
the same plate.

When the preliminaries have been arranged, the
operator's real task begins. Except in the settled summer
weather the strength of the light causes him continual
anxiety, and the menace of a clouded sky hangs over him
often, both figuratively and literally. In mid-summer the
light is much more intense than during the earlier part of
the season, and the advent of a few clouds at this time is
rather an advantage than otherwise. In spring and early
summer, however, sunlight almost undiluted is a necessity.
Furthermore, clouds, showers of rain, and other little un-

45

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

kindnesses of the elements have an annoying habit of in-
truding just at that moment, often waited for during weary
hours, when the subject lias plucked up courage to perch in
the desired position. By the time these difficulties have
disappeared, the bird has disappeared also.

It will be apparent that the brightness or otherwise of
the light would be a matter of little moment if the exposure
could be increased as the brightness of the light diminished.
Practically all exposures, however, will need to be in-
stantaneous on account of the movement of the subject.
Time exposures, even short ones, we have found almost
always to result in an absolute waste of plates. Pictures
of a kind may be, and certainly are obtained in this way, by
some photographers, but some slight movement is almost
certain to occur which robs the result, to a greater or less
degree, of the charm which attaches to sharpness. Birds
sitting on their nests are sometimes so still as to afford an
opportunity for time exposures, and this is the only cir-
cumstance which has led us to experiment in this direction.
The picture of the Rufous Fantail reproduced on page 201,
and that of the Scarlet-breasted Robin on page 41, are the
only bird pictures in this book which are the result of time
exposures.

The length of the exposure is governed by two factors.
The first is the size of the aperture used. To the bird
photographer this is a simple matter, as it is almost in-
variably necessary to use the largest opening provided. In
mid-summer, however, the strength of the light may allow
of "stopping down" slightly without increasing the ex-
posure. If this can be done, it is of great advantage on
account of the greater depth of sharpness attained. The
second factor is the speed of the plate to be used. In this
respect, also, very little latitude is allowed the bird photo-
grapher. The plates must be fairly fast, and besides
need much more careful treatment in the dark room than
do slow ones. The plates we use are marked with a speed
number, about 300 H. and D. Uncorrected photographic
plates give unsatisfactory results so far as colours (notably
red and yellow) are concerned, but "Non-filter" or "Anti-
screen" plates of different makes we have found to give
much better results in this respect.

But the greatest tax on the patience of the photo-
grapher is the general disinclination of birds to be dealt

46

Yellow-breasted Robin and nest.

47

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

with photographically. Some few birds may be relied
upon to give little trouble ; but by far the greater number
are pictured only as a result of considerable scheming and
planning. The point directly overlooked by the bright eye
of the camera is, as a rule, studiously avoided until such
time as the subject either becomes accustomed to its pre-
sence, or realizes that there is no way of avoiding its stare.
If the camera be trained on the nest itself, there is little
to be done except to wait patiently and quietly. If, how-
ever, a position apart from the nest be selected as the perch
for the bird, it is often possible to hasten success by resort-
ing to dodges such as those we here mention. Perhaps the
most successful plan known to us is to remove all pro-
minent points in the vicinity other than the one selected,
or, if that cannot be done without undue interference with
the surroundings, to render such points unusable by cover-
ing them temporarily with leaves, paper, or anything else
handy. It should be seen, however, that nothing unnatural
appears in the picture.

When young birds out of the nest are used as
decoys, a little judicious shifting of their position will
often have the effect of bringing the bird eventually
to the right spot. We have found, too, that our subject
often dislikes any long flight necessary to bring it to the
chosen point, probably from the fact that it is not so well
able to turn about should it become timid. If a stick or
other handy natural object or objects be placed so as to
lead by easy stages to the correct position, the wily sitter,
feeling a sense of safety in its ability to turn back at any
moment, will probably approach closer and closer by these
stages until, satisfied by close inspection as to the harmless-
ness of the apparatus, it will hop unconcernedly across the
short intervening space.

The position which the bird itself occupies at the time
the plate is exposed is also a very important item. Very
few presentable pictures will be obtained at short range if
exposures are made in haphazard style directly the bird
appears on the selected perch. The photographer must
endeavour to carry in his mind the exact position of the
dummy on which he focussed, and must restrain his hand
until the bird occupies that position. He has also very
often to remember that he is viewing the subject at a
different angle from that at which the camera views it, and

48

striated Tit at nest.

49

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

must make allowances accordingly. Frequently the bird
will persist in facing in a wrong direction, either while
perched or while sitting on a nest. If one of the party
moves slowly round the nest, or if a handkerchief on a stick
is moved round instead, the sitter will very often move
into the correct position in its endeavour to keep the object
in view. This method is specially efficient where it is
desired that the position of the head only be altered. The
little Brown Flycatcher pictured on page 44 was influenced
just in this way.

It will be noticed, on glancing through the illustra-
tions in this book, that the majority of the birds are
in a position roughly at right angles to a line drawn
from the camera. This position is advisable where pos-
sible, as all portions of the bird, being approximately equi-
distant from the lens, are likely to be correctly focussed.
If, for instance, the subject were facing directly towards the
camera, most probably either head or tail would be out of
focus.

The beginner will find that the quickness of the bird's
movements in visiting and leaving the nest will account
for the waste of many plates. With nests having the
entrance at the side and with nests built at the end of a
burrow in the ground, this difficulty may, in a great mea-
sure, be overcome by blocking the entrance thereof.
Being unable to enter its home, the bird often remains
for a considerable time on the spot selected. In other
cases a wave of the hand or other movement at the right
moment often causes the subject to hesitate for a sufficient
length of time.

We have purposely refrained from giving any instruc-
tion regarding development and the like. Such informa-
tion is much better obtained from works by experts. But
one or two points suggest themselves as applying parti-
cularly to the Nature photographer. We always aim, when
developing, at obtaining negatives showing as much con-
trast as possible. In addition to giving a greater appear-
ance of relief to the print, we think that such negatives
make better enlargements, and are more suitable for repro-
duction. There are ways, moreover, in which soft results
may be obtained if desired in prints from hard "con-
trasty" negatives. We therefore continue development of

50

Wliite-plunied Honeyeater at nest.

51

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

our plates a little longer than is usually considered neces-
sary.

Nature photographers, particularly, will accumulate
many negatives, portraying desirable subjects in excellent
positions, which are apparently hopeless through some
defect. We have discarded a great number of such in our
time, and have only recently realised the possibility of
improving some of them. As our knowledge of photo-
graphy has grown, new ways of dealing with failures have
suggested themselves. Unless negatives are absolutely
hopeless, we advise beginners to put them away just
as carefully as they do the good ones. Intensification
and reduction we have practised for many years, but avoid
it where possible, on account of the danger of damaging
the negatives. Nowadays we prefer to experiment upon
an enlargement, or upon a duplicate negative obtained from
an enlargement, and would advise little in the way' of
experiment until such time as the photographer possesses
an enlarging apparatus of his own.

By far the greatest number of our failures are of that
class which show a shadowy image and very little contrast.
Direct intensification of the negatives in bad cases has been
found of little benefit, but recently we have found that many
toners used for prints, notably brown and green, act upon
them in exactly the same way as the intensifier acts upon
the negative. After toning a weak enlargement alternately
in brown and green several times, we have found it to be
quite respectably "contrasty," and to produce a good nega-
tive when photographed. Of course, such methods are
suitable only for persons a little advanced in the art, but our
remarks will serve to show the necessity for keeping the
apparent failures.

The photograph of the White-plumed Honeyeater repro-
duced here was taken with the old ten shilling camera
away back in 1909. After the negative had been inten-
sified it still showed so little contrast that it was consigned
to the "scrap-heap" as soon as we had obtained a few really
good pictures. There it remained for several years, and
was resurrected only when the experiments above men-
tioned gave us hope of using it. We were extremely for-
tunate to be able to improve it, by the way, as several years
in an old box subject to periodical drippings from washing
troughs left us little hope that we would find it intact.

52

INSTRUCTIONS IN GENERAL

Among-st hundreds of negatives we found a few still un-
damaged and this was one.

There is a large field for interesting and useful work
during winter months in enlarging, lantern-slide making,
and in the improvement of pictures.

Another little plan we have for passing the months which
separate one nesting season from another, is the portraiture
of those introduced birds which frequent suburban gardens.
Such pictures, to us at any rate, are quite useless
when obtained, but provide quite a considerable interest
nevertheless. The beginner also may well have some use-
ful practice in this way before operating in the field. These
domesticated birds, however, are usually so wary that it is
impracticable to sit watching with a thread in one's hand
for them to perch in the desired position. We will
describe our methods in case any reader should be inclined
to try them. We must urge, however, that if the results
obtained in this way are ever shown, it be made clear
that they do not portray Nature subjects in their natural
surroundings.

The necessary outfit for this "back yard" photography
cost us about five shillings or so. We purchased a cheap
electrical dry battery sufficiently strong to operate an
electric bell. A few yards of insulated wire was also neces-
sary. The whole was connected up in a manner which any
book on electric bells will describe, and the bell, with the
gong removed, was adjusted to drop a weight on contact
being made. The weight in turn was adjusted to release
the shutter when so dropped. The loose ends of the wire
were then fastened in such a way that the weight of a bird
on some kind of perch near a drinking tin or on the tin
itself brought them together and completed the circuit.
With the camera focussed upon the chosen spot, and the
apparatus arranged in this way, the sparrows, the doves, or
other birds of the garden may be relied upon to take their
own portraits, while the photographer is engaged else-
where. We are satisfied that similar methods could with
advantage be employed in dealing with some few unsatis-
factory subjects in the wild, and it is our intention to use,
later on, a modification of the device described. The male
lyre-bird, we think, may be photographed in this way more
surely than in any other.

In England and in other countries bird photographers

53

Mistletoe Bird (female) feeding young

54

INSTRUCTIONS IN GENERAL

almost invariably use some form of hiding arrangement in
which both camera and operator are concealed while photo-
graphing wild birds. We ourselves have not used any-
thing of this kind so far, but are able to see clearly that
such a system would be extremely helpful in certain cases.
Probably the reasons which have operated against its use,
so far as we are concerned, are the cost of making a **hide"
which could be always carried, and, alternatively, the length
of time required to improvise one on the spot. The system
has recently been given a trial by Mr. Les. Chandler, one
of the foremost Nature photographers in Australia. The
fact that he speaks of it in glowing terms is sufficient proof
of its efficiency.

In the foregoing pages we have set down at length the
method by which our pictures have been obtained. We have
withheld nothing which has appealed to us as likely to be
useful to a beginner. It is our hope there will be a sufficient
number of such beginners to render it probable that some
at least of the methods we have described will prove helpful.
Of one thing we feel satisfied — a majority of those readers
who find interest in this book will have some popular mis-
conceptions of bird-photography dispelled. Almost with-
out exception, friends (many of them photographers of
experience) who have seen our pictures, had previously
held a decided conviction that this class of work was pos-
sible only to the expert photographer with an expensive
apparatus.

The remarks of friends prompt us to mention another
matter. Many who see such pictures as that reproduced
on page 54, which depicts an adult bird perched on the
photographer's hand, express either back-handedly or
straight-forwardly, a doubt as to their genuineness. Per-
haps our friends, because they are friends, are at a
little disadvantage in this direction as compared with
the reader, who knows us not. Nevertheless, we
here give the assurance that every bird pictured in
these pages was a wild one, and was taken in
its natural surroundings. Further, except in one case,
any trustfulness evident from the photograph is no more
remarkable than that which will be experienced by any
observer who spends in the bush the same amount of time
as we have done. The exception referred to is that of the
Laughing Jackass, shown on page 100. This bird, though

55

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

wild, was more easily dealt with than usual on account of
the prolonged and kindly action ui certain residents at
Upper Ferntree Gully, who provided for this and other
Jackasses free meals at the back doors of their residences.
It was while feeding these birds, as the residents were wont
to do. that we were able to take the photograph.

■ Out of the doubts previously mentioned peeps a little
motto for beginners. "Never descend to taking pictures of
subjects which are not entirely natural." Photographs of
long-departed stuffed specimens or of birds in captivity are
right enough so long as they purport to be nothing more,
but to attempt to make such material into a Nature picture
is to throw to the winds any claim to praise for other and
genuine photographs, as well as to rob one's own mind of
the satisfaction resulting from a hard-earned victory.
Quite apart from this phase of the question, observers who
have had years of experience in the bush will soon pick
out points which will convince them that the picture is a
fake. You can imagine that such observers will naturally
look with suspicion on the whole of such a photographer's
work. A little incident will illustrate this. One Sunday
afternoon a few years back we visited the home of a cage-
bird enthusiast to see her birds. Subsequently we were
shown some post-cards and expressed our surprise at seeing
amongst them a rare bird-picture which had made one
photographer famous. "Oh, yes!" said the lady, "that
was my bird, and Mr. took his photo, in that gum-
tree by the back door."

Since that time, photographs from the same source have
appealed to us little. No ! If the photographer wishes to
maintain a good name he must deserve it, and the smallest
circumstance connected with any picture which makes it
anything but absolutely natural, should be explained when-
ever and wherever the photograph is shown or reproduced.
So particular are we in these directions, that we will not
even take a photograph of a nest from which the young
birds have flown.

There is another direction in which the photographer
must exercise care, and a most extreme and never-failing
care at that. The greatest advantage of a Nature photo-
graph lies in its power to convey the likeness of the subject
without the loss of life or liberty occasioned by other
methods. A collection of well-mounted specimens in a

56

Yellow-breasted Robin on nest.

57

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

museum is beautiful in a way. To us, however, the realisa-
tion that the tiny lives, which bounded within those pitiful
balls of feathers, were ended without warning, possibly in
the midst of a song of gladness or in a feverish search for
the means of sustaining those hungry hopes in a nest near
by, saddens the whole display and makes the dead feathers
appear more mournful still. There is a sadder phase
than that exemplified by a museum display. The great
collections of shapeless unmounted skins amongst which
many scientific ornithologists grope in an endeavour to out-
vie each other in finding differences between birds which,
from a common-sense point of view, are identical, appears
to us to point to a defect in our laws which needs remedying.

We urge the beginner, therefore, to realise this advan-
tage of photography and to use all means in his power to
prevent any loss of life through his agency. The pictures
we have been able to produce, we are proud to say, have cost
not a single life so far as we know. Let every photographer
set himself a similar ideal. To accomplish this end it is
often necessary to go to such trouble as to remove the
camera for a time in order that young birds may be fed or
that eggs may be kept warm. Often, in fact, it means
losing altogether the chance of obtaining a much-desired
picture. If young birds be caught and tethered as decoys,
the photographer should use wool or some other soft
material, and be ever on the lookout that the fledglings do
not injure themselves.

In the vastness of our country there is usually little need
to ask permission to go where one wishes. In the outer
suburbs, however, it often becomes necessary for the photo-
grapher to trespass slightly on what is regarded as private
property. By far the better plan on such occasions is to
ask the owner's permission (which in our experience, will
never be refused), or at least to be very careful that no
damage is done which may reasonably incite the property-
holder's anger. We had a useful little lesson in this direc-
tion away back in our early experience. We discovered a
family of White-fronted Chats feeding their young in a
partly-cut oat crop. In the excitement of capturing the
lively young birds both of us ran, at different points,
through a narrow strip of crop. The owner quickly
arrived. With pardonable anger, and in unpardonable
language, he besought us to begone. Ominous brandishing

58

59

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

of a pitch-fork lent colour to his already lurid demands,
and the chance of a picture was sorrowfully left behind.
We might explain that, although the Chat is a very common
bird, it is not at all easy to photograph, and an instance such
as this, where the parents appeared trustful, was a dis-
covery indeed. We have always been most careful since
that no damage is done, and that anything temporarily
removed is replaced.

In the following chapters we hope to cater for those
leaders who may not be disposed towards photography, and
also, perhaps, give further help to those who may be, by
recording something of the habits and habitat of those
birds, mainly well-known, with which we have become
acquainted.

60

PART 11.

Suburban Birds

Mistletoe Bird (female) cleaning nest.

62

CHAPTER IV.

Beginners' Subjects.

THE person who wishes to study Nature — photogra-
phically or otherwise — and whose lack of oppor-
tunity or means limits his operations to the
suburbs of one of our cities, is prone to take the
view that his ambitions, as a Nature student, cannot be
realised. Nothing could be further from the true posi-
tion. The outer suburbs form an ideal training ground
for the beginner, and quite a sufficient number and variety
of birds will be found there to keep a photographer busy
for a considerable time. Little expenditure is involved,
moreover, in reaching the scene of operations, which is a
decided advantage during the period when wasted plates
will be numerous. It is quite bad enough to waste plates
without wasting railway fares as well.

In the year 1909, at the age of about sixteen years, we
set out with a vast amount of confidence, a total lack of
experience, and apparatus of the most primitive kind, to
photograph the native birds to be found on the outskirts
of the suburb of Preston, not more than seven miles from
the heart of Melbourne. We really expected to complete
the job in a few weeks, and then to work further afield in
the direction of Greensborough and Eltham. In actual
practice it was about two years later that we first felt
justified in an extension of our field of effort — even then
we left the suburban birds sadly unfinished. We had
reckoned without the inevitable difficulties which beset the
bird-photographer, and without those additional ones aris-
ing out of the use of an unsuitable apparatus.

63

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

Our first exploit was an attempt to photograph the nest
of a Tom-tit which was built in a furze hedge not very far
from our own homes. We set up the camera on a rough
tripod of palings (to purchase a tripod was beyond our
means), and made several exposures from a distance of
about eighteen inches. This done, we marched home in
blissful ignorance of our fortune — misfortune it happened
to be. We were quickly enlightened, but even then attri-
buted the appearance of shapeless light and shadow on the
negative to anything rather than the correct cause. The
plates, in our opinions, were certainly defective.

We may here assure the beginner, after some years of
experience, that defects in the plates are the least likely
cause of mysterious failures. However, our next attempt,
which should have shown an adult Tom-tit at the nest, was
a repetition of the previous failure, and our disappointment
was keen. It was at this stage that we decided to take
the commonsense course, and investigated thoroughly the
working of our machine. With the aid of a piece of
tissue-paper pasted to a blank plate, which served as a
focussing screen, we soon found that our apparatus, used
normally, was suitable for photographing objects only at a
distance of six feet or more. Hence our failures. We
also found, however, that as the size of the iaperture
admitting the light was reduced, so could the camera be
moved closer to the subject. Acting on this discovery, we
succeeded in obtaining pictures of nests and other still
subjects by using an aperture about the size of a pin's head
and making exposures up to seven minutes. Photography
of birds — our real objective — still eluded us.

Further experiments with the tissue paper revealed the
fact that the greater the distance separating the lens from
the plate, the nearer could the camera be placed to the sub
ject. We thereupon invented a contrivance by means of
which the plate was held against the back door of the
camera, a couple of inches further from the lens than its
normal position. This threw objects at a distance of
twenty inches into sharp focus upon the plate without re-
quiring a small aperture. It, however, restricted our
operations to one exposure per day. With the camera
arranged in this way we achieved a certain amount of suc-
cess. Just how far we succeeded may be judged by the
reader after he has examined the photographs of a Straw-

f 64

BEGINNERS' SUBJECTS

necked Ibis appearing on page 111, of White-browed Wood
Swallows on page 151, and of a Yellow-faced Honeyeater
on page 154.

By drawing attention to the results obtained with a very
old and cheap camera, we may have caused a misappre-
hension in the minds of some of our readers. Not-
withstanding the results shown, we must again make
it clear that a magazine camera is quite unsuitable for
bird photography, and there are probably few per-
sons sufficiently interested to persevere against the
attendant difficulties as we did. The object of this
chapter is rather to show what may be accomplished
by the exercise of some ingenuity and patience, and
to awaken the beginner to a realisation of the fact that
there will surely be a bountiful harvest of disappointments
at first. This is our chief reason for recommending the
suburbs as a training ground for the city-dwelling
enthusiast. Had we followed our inclination, born of over-
confidence, and commenced operations further from home,
either one of two things would probably have happened.
Either our interest in a hobby, entailing such frequent dis-
appointments after long journeys, would have flagged, or
we would have found our expenses too heavy to allow us to
continue.

65

"*^''.-,
^^.j-

-»..>^^

'^*^.iate8^#'^i/

r

1

f

/

Tom-tit near nest.

66

CHAPTER V.

Tom-tit, Chat, and Blue Wren.

THE suburban bird we select for first mention is the
Tom-tit, and the reason is two-fold. Firstly, it
is the native bird which, as a rule, first meets one
during a ramble along suburban hedges. In the
second place our very first attempts at bird-photography
were inflicted upon a pair of these birds which had built
their nest within half-a-mile of the main street of Preston.
We have no pictorial record of these experiences, for the
very good reasons set out in the previous chapter. It
speaks volumes, however, for the difficulty of obtaining
pictures of this and other species building near the home
of man, that it was several seasons later, and after many
attempts, that the measure of success indicated by the
accompanying picture was attained. However, our efforts
were well rewarded, as we regard the photograph as being
amongst our very best.

The Yellow-tailed Tit-Warbler, to give it its official
title, is well known to all who lead an outdoor life.
It inhabits the bush as well as the suburbs, and its
sweet, lively notes are unmistakable when once heard.
It is a uniform grey little bird, the soberness of whose
colouring is relieved only by a patch of bright yellow
feathers at the base of the tail. Even this enlivening
touch is hardly noticeable, except during flight. The Tom-tit
has a very near cousin which inhabits similar country, but
which is not found as a rule so close to dwellings. Some
points of difference between the two species will be appar-
ent on comparison of the photograph reproduced here with

67

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

that of the Buff-tailed Tit on page 137. For a consider-
able time we were unaware of the presence of two different
species, although we must certainly have found nests of
both. Two further points of variation, not apparent in
the pictures, are the slight difference in colour of the tail
patches and the less sweet and more metallic note of the
Buff-tailed species. The Tom-tit is entirely insectivorous,
and hunts over the ground in small flocks of half-a-dozen or
so. During the nesting season, however, each pair follows
that natural inclination of most birds to possess a little
territory of its own.

The bird photographed had its cumbersome nest tucked
snugly away in an isolated and thickly-grown furze bush
near the Darebin Creek. Numerous attempts to photo-
graph the owners of other nests did not provide us with
much ground for hope of success, and the early August
wind and weather did their best to make our task more
difficult. Happily, the nest contained young ones but re-
cently hatched, and under such circumstances most birds
become unusually daring. Still, it was only after quite
an hour of indecision and after camera and tripod had
blown over about six times that our "subjects" con-
descended to "sit." Just how many times during this
period we succeeded in counting the regulation number
before speaking the angry word, we do not now remember.
Photography on a windy day is most exasperating. The
result in this case appears calm enough, but the camera
has lied. It was impossible even to hold the nest and
surrounding spurs tolerably still with the aid of string.
The spur on which the bird is standing danced in and out
of the picture in fine style, and it was indeed fortunate that
it occupied such a satisfactory position at the moment of
the exposure.

It often happens that the absorbing interest of some
subject near at hand is overlooked on account of its very
familiarity. The habits of the Tom-tit are an instance
of such a state of affairs. So far as we know, no ornitholo-
gist has devoted any considerable time to this common-
place little bird, notwithstanding the fact that there are
many unexplained peculiarities in its habits. Many people
know the cumbersome and untidy, though cosy, nest of the
species, yet few have made any serious attempt to account
for the presence of the open structure almost invariably

68

White-fronted Chat (female) at nest.

69

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

found on top of the eg-g-chamber. For the benefit of
those who do not already know the nest, it may be as well
to describe it, as we are unable to reproduce a photograph
of it. The nest proper is a roughly spherical structure,
entirely closed in except for a small entrance in the side.
This portion is warmly lined with feathers and the like,
quite calculated to provide shelter and warmth during the
rough weather which it usually encounters. The pecu-
liarity of the nest lies in the fact that on the top of the
egg-chamber will usually be found a shallow open shelter
not unlike the cup-shaped nest built by such a number of
birds. The occurrence of this open shelter is no accident
either, as is proved by the fact that where circumstances
have prevented its being built on top of the egg-chamber,
we have found it to be placed separately a few inches from
the main structure.

What particular purpose this second nest serves is diffi-
cult to determine. One explanation ofi'ered is that the
Tom-tit hopes by its presence to induce the Cuckoo to place
there its unwelcome egg instead of in the nest proper. We
find ourselves unable to incline to this view, as we have
never yet come across a case where this object had been
accomplished, and, furthermore, have heard of few being
recorded. It is unlikely that the bird would persist in the
erection of a structure which experience proved to be use-
less. Our idea, certainly not backed by any definite proof,
is that the second nest is used by the non-sitting bird as a
shelter during the night. It has the appearance of being
tenanted, and does not become dilapidated as would appear
inevitable if it were not in use and kept in repair. There
is one other possible explanation which occurs to us as a
result of some experience of cage birds. Certain well-
known Australian Grass Finches we have noticed to con-
struct a small open shelter when their young are advancing
towards the flying stage. The young Finches, when they
leave the nest, are nightly enticed by the careful parents
into this shelter. Possibly the structure built by the Tom-
tit is intended for a similar purpose.

The Tom-tit is an early builder. Nearly always it is
the first nest we find, and may be looked for about the
middle of the month of June. Nests as late as Christ-
mas time are by no means uncommon either, but July,
August, and September are the principal breeding months.

70

Wliite-froiited Cluit (male).

71

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

The eggs, usually three or four, are small and white,
sometimes with a few faint pink specks at the larger end.
The young birds, when hatched, grow slowly, and remain
in the nest for between three and four weeks. This is
considerably longer than is the case with most small birds.
When they do at last leave home, they are well grown and
are strong fliers.

Feeding in company with the Tom-tit, and building its
nest in the same furze hedges, will be found a small bird
quite as dainty and almost as common. The White-
fronted Chat, or "Tang," as we always knew it in our young
days, was also favoured with many of our early efforts. Its
shadowy resemblance on a very much under-exposed plate
was the first gleam of success in our photography exploits.
Like the Tom-tit, the Chat has given us a great deal
of trouble, and it was after many seasons that the two
photographs reproduced were obtained. While on a visit
to Meredith in 1913 we located a nest in a furze bush on
the banks of a small creek near the township. As the
birds appeared slightly more trustful than the general
run of Chats, we decided to give them a trial. After a
considerable time spent in a cramped position in the
branches of a neighbouring wattle tree, we were able to
expose a few plates while the male bird stood at the nest.
The female kept well in the background while the male took
the risk. We must absolve the gentler sex from the charge
of cowardice by saying that the female is usually more
daring than the male. The picture of the male reproduced
is the result of this series of exposures. The photograph
is not all it might have been as regards sharpness, but the
position caught by the camera suits the bird admirably.
The little white front, which accounts for the name "Nun"
frequently applied to the bird, is quite clearly shown.
The picture of the female was obtained some time later
at Preston, and also after a considerable exercise of
patience.

The Chat, like several other species of birds, frequently
feigns injury in the hope of leading the intruder away
from its nest of young. This ruse is carried out so well
that it must be an efficient safeguard against natural
enemies at least. More than once, in fact, in the confusion
caused by the sudden disturbance of a family of Chats we

72

Blue Wren (male) in characteristic attitude.

73

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

have, for a time, followed the apparently helpless parents
instead of the genuinely helpless young birds.

Chats' nests are very common during July and August
in the open paddocks along the Darebin Creek, where furze
and other small bushes are popular nesting sites. The
eggs are small and in colour pearly white, dotted sparsely
with reddish brown, principally at the broad end. Quite
often the spots develop into blotches of considerable size,
and eggs of this kind are very pretty.

The Blue Wren pictures appearing in this book were,
with one exception, obtained in the suburb referred to. Our
experience with the Blue Wrens is probably greater
than with any other species. In fact, our practice of
falling back on this and a few other favourite birds to com-
pensate for failures elsewhere, has often drawn forth an
accusation of wastefulness. However, we have always
been perfectly satisfied to add to our records of this little
fellow when there has been a dearth of other subjects.

There are quite a number of interesting points about the
habits of this energetic creature, and, \vhile our time has
been primarily devoted to obtaining pictures, still we have
endeavoured to devote some thought to an explanation of
their ways.

One serious accusation made against the male bird —
unfortunate male — is that his inclinations are distinctly
mormon, and that he contravenes all the laws of righteous-
ness by indulging in quite a number of wives. We are con-
vinced, as a result of our observations, that the practice
does not exist — not, at any rate, to anything like the extent
claimed. The apparent preponderance of females over
males can, we think, be accounted for in either or in both
of two ways. We have found the Blue Wren to differ
from many other birds in the fact that the advent of the
nesting season and its attendant responsibilities does not
seriously affect the sociability usually shown between mem-
bers of the species. They move about, fight and feed
together just as before, although their nests are invariably
placed at a little distance apart.

It is this sociability of one or other of the birds
with its neighbours during the time when its mate
is necessarily engaged elsewhere, that accounts for the
slander on the Wren's character On almost every occa-
sion that we have attempted to photograph a Wren

Blue Wren (female).

75

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

there have been more than two birds intensely in-
terested in the proceedings. Oftentimes there have been
half-a-dozen, and the issue has become so clouded that it
has been extremely difficult to determine which birds were
the actual owners of the nest or young. An investigation
after the excitement has abated, however, has usually
revealed a sufficient number of nests to account for the full
number of birds. The excitement, moreover, prevails
equally at each nest that is disturbed. Wren neighbours,
on the occurrence of anything unusual in the neighbour-
hood, are wont to turn out in force, crane their necks, and
make plenty of noise.

Certainly, we have noticed more than once, later in the
season, a spare female or two, but their position is probably
accounted for by the presence of grown-up young birds of
a previous clutch of eggs. We have had proof of this theory
in one instance at any rate. In a little patch of garden
at the Old Treasury Building, Melbourne, a pair of Wrens
built four nests and reared four broods during the year
1918. The same material served in each instance, but a
new position was chosen for each nest. All four were
built within twenty or thirty feet of perhaps the busiest
tram line in Melbourne. After the first brood had left
the nest and had been shown round the grounds for a week
or so by both parents, the female again built a nest and
incubated a further clutch of eggs. The young birds were
handed over to the male while the female built the third
nest. During the time the last two broods were being
reared, we watched carefully. The young of the first nest
quickly grew to resemble the mother, and the fact of two or
three of his growing children accompanying the male was
certainly apt to create a false impression on the mind of
the stranger. So much of the nature of their mother did
these young birds inherit that they took their share, along
with the parents, of the work of feeding the youngsters in
the last nest. In fact, it was impossible to say which of the
brown birds was the original female. We are quite satis-
fied, now, that the few cases of apparent polygamy we had
previously encountered are fully explained.

It is also believed with regard to the Blue Wren that
the male, during the winter months, dispenses with his
bright colour, and assumes the quiet brown plumage of his
spouse. This view we believe to be correct ; otherwise it

76

Blue Wren (male).
77

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

is difficult to account for the almost total absence of coloured
birds during the winter,

A glance through our Wren pictures would at once show
that in very few cases are they taken at the nest. One
thing that the photographer learns very quickly is any
peculiarity of his subject which serves his ends in obtain-
ing pictures. We soon discovered that the excitable
nature of the Wren provided the best influence for inducing
it to face the camera. The few cases in which we have
chosen a nest as the basis of operations have yielded results
very far from satisfactory. Latterly we have always
endeavoured to capture young birds which have recently left
home and to train the camera on some point, a convenient
stone or stump, near which the noisy young ones are tem-
porarily imprisoned. Under such circumstances the pres-
ence of the camera is entirely disregarded in the excite-
ment. The extreme rapidity of the bird's movements,
however, leaves the photographer little time for dream-
ing if he would catch it in the position he desires. Often
he will find that, by the time his decision to make an expo-
sure is communicated to his hand and by the thread from
his hand to the shutter, the bird has taken wing and appears
as a blur half-way off the plate. For this reason it is advis-
able, where possible, to dispense with the thread and to
operate the shutter with the finger.

At a nest containing eggs only, photography is quite
often a very slow process. It is often possible on such
occasions to cheat the birds into excitement by imitating
the cries of young birds. Quite unconscious, apparently,
of the fact that these sounds are unlikely to emanate from
a nest of eggs, the birds, females in particular, take on a
characteristic mouse-like attitude, raising their feathers,
and running along the ground in evident distress. This
attitude is conveyed somewhat by the picture appearing on
page 73.

The Blue Wren is a vivacious little creature at any time,
but seen at close quarters on a sunny day, the sheen and
glitter of the dark and light blue coat of the male leaves
little to be desired in the way of beauty. The plumage
of the female shows no sign of the bright blue of the male.
She is brown in general appearance, ashy grey beneath,
while a patch of bright chestnut appears round each
eye. Quite possibly many casual observers have seen

78

TOM-TIT, CHAT, AND BLUE WREN

the Blue Wren at a distance of a few yards, and while they
may agree that the male has a certain claim to be called
beautiful, they would contend that the female has little or
none. We would advise such persons, if any there be,
before judging the beauty of either male or female, first to
see it properly. That is to say, see the live birds in the
wild state at a distance of two feet or less. Then, and
then only, will their beauty become apparent.

In case any should take this little piece of advice
seriously, as we certainly intend it, we may add that the
Darebin Creek, a couple of miles direct east of the Preston
Reservoir Railway Station, is one of their favourite breed-
ing grounds, and that nests may be found there in plenty
during the period from the beginning of October to the end
of December.

The Wren's nest is a comfortable structure built of
grasses and lined with soft feathers and the like. It is
dome-shaped with the entrance in the side, although in
many cases, perhaps on account of the warmth of the
weather at its nesting time, having the entrance side almost
wholly open. The Wren never builds high above the ground
— almost on it as a rule. Small bushes, shrubs, fallen
branches, or even coarse grass are availed of.

The eggs, usually three or four in number, are small and
white, minutely freckled, particularly at the broad end, with
light reddish-brown.

79

Nest of Brown Tit.
80

CHAPTER VI.

Creek Lovers and Others.

THE White-browed Scrub Wren and the Brown Tit
are two inhabitants of the creek-bank under-
growth, whether it be in the suburban area or
further afield. Curiously enough, either by acci-
dent or by some real afl^inity between the species, we have
usually found the two nesting close to each other. Certain
of their call-notes, also, are not dissimilar, and for these
reasons the species are always associated in our minds.
When one seeks their homes, however, a point of difference
at once arises. The Brown Tit builds in a position chosen
apparently at random, and showing little desire for con-
cealment. The Scrub Wren, on the other hand, is most
artful in this matter, and more than once have we spent a
considerable time searching the damp undergrowth for a
nest, the position of which we knew to within a few inches.
In appearance the birds are very little alike. The Brown
Tit is much the smaller. Its general colour is olive-brown,
shading to a warm rufous brown towards the base of the
tail. Its breast is a lighter shade of grey streaked con-
spicuously with darker markings. The "Brownie," as we
usually name it, feeds on insects, mostly in small saplings,
and in the higher branches of small shrubs. It is never at
rest.

Notwithstanding rather confiding ways under ordinary
circumstances, we have never found the bird a particularly
easy subject photographically. The few pictures we have
been able to obtain have cost us considerable time and
trouble. The main feature of its resistance to the photo-

81

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

grapher lies in its persistence, tenacity, pig-headedness, or
whatever it may best be called. Seldom indeed will the
bird refuse to visit its nest in the face of the camera, but
when it becomes necessary for it to perch on one particular
point the trouble begins. A photographer who works at
a greater distance than we do, will probably find much less
difficulty.

The bird whose nest is pictured possessed the quality of
persistence to quite the usual degree. For several hours
all attempts to induce it to perch on a piece of stick were
vain. Covering with leaves all other perches in the
vicinity, and other ruses often used with success, had no
effect. The bird would approach from behind the nest, and
in no other way. A photograph was at length obtained by
sheer patience. We placed a wad of grass in the entrance
of the nest, removed all other obstructions and simply
waited. After a time — a very considerable time — our sub-
ject evidently forgot our presence and hopped on to our
selected perch. Unfortunately the negative obtained was
lent and cannot now be found.

We have noticed the persistence of the Brown Tit at all
times, whether faced with a camera or not. At the Plenty
River, Greensborough, we watched on one occasion for quite
half-an-hour a trial of patience between one of these birds
and a White-naped Honeyeater, both of which had nests
close by. The "Brownie" was intent upon securing for its
home a large piece of downy substance from a shrub quite
close handy. The Honeyeater's nest was on the other side
of the river, much further away, yet the Honeyeater, with
its swift flight and characteristic pugnacity, was able to
foil each attempt of the smaller bird to dislodge the coveted
material.

Honeyeaters, generally, are great bullies, and this
one appeared to have no other object in attacking the
smaller bird than persecution, pure and simple. It was
amusing to notice the tactics of the Brown Tit. It would
fly from its nest quite unconcernedly in a direction exactly
opposite to that in which the material lay, and would double
back quietly and slowly till within a few feet of its goal. A
bold rush from the nearest cover was inevitably countered
by the swooping flight of the Honeyeater to the spot, before
the material could be dislodged. Several times it seemed
that the smaller bird was about to succeed — that the Honey-

82

Nest of White-browed Scrub Wren.

83

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

eater had tarried too long — but no ! Except on one occa-
sion when "Brownie" carried a very small portion
triumphantly home the material remained where it was.
What would have been the ultimate result we know not.
Our sympathies were wholly with the smaller bird, and,
before leaving the spot, we played the bully with the larger
by climbling to its nest and generally harassing it while the
disputed material was eagerly transferred in large sections
to the interior of "Brownie's" home.

Like quite a number of our small soberly coloured birds
the Brown Tit does not appear beautiful unless seen at
close quarters. In fact, we advise any person who is
unable to realise any beauty in such birds to reserve judg-
ment until they have seen them at a distance measured in
inches and not in yards. We hope that in some measure
our illustrations may provide such a ground for judgment,
but it must be remembered that the two great attributes of
movement and colour are missing therefrom.

The Brown Tit is an early builder, and nests may be
found in August and even before. Description of its
home is not needed when we may simply refer the reader to
the picture on page 82. The nest is usually built near
the ground, in some bush or shrub, or even in tall rank
grass. Inside, the home is cosily lined with feathers, down,
or other soft material. The appearance of spiders'
cocoons on the nests of this and many other species of birds
has, so far as we know, not yet been satisfactorily ex-
plained. One or two of them will be noticed in the picture
referred to. They may be for ornament or they may be
intended to assist in the concealment of the nest. The
latter suggests itself as the more likely explanation. The
war has taught many lessons as to the efficiency of camou-
flage, the fundamental idea of which appears to be the
avoidance of a mass of material similarly coloured. Quite
possibly these creatures of our bush were acquainted with
the efficiency of camouflage of a kind for long centuries
before man learned it, whether from them eventually or
not, we cannot say. It does, however, appear to us likely
that this habit of adorning their nests may arise from the
necessity, for small birds at least, to deceive the eyes of
natural enemies. To our intellects these attempts may
appear useless and inefficient, but it must be remembered
that we are neither the original nor the only enemies with

84

White-browed Scrub Wren approaching nest.

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

which these creatures have to contend. In any case, no
one with experience will deny that many of these aids to
concealment adopted by the birds are decidedly efficient
even where man — or perhaps boy — is concerned. It is
more than likely, therefore, that such habits, though they
may fail so far as human beings are concerned, are a
decided protection against natural enemies. Almost every
nest illustrated in these pages will show some signs of
adornment.

The eggs of the Brown Tit are small — a white ground,
minutely freckled with red. The usual clutch is three.

The White-browed Scrub Wren is easily recognised and
distinguished from its neighbour, the "Brownie," by its
quiet and unobtrusive progress through the creek-side
undergrowth. It is when one sits motionless and silent in
such a locality that one is most likely to obtain a good view
of the bird. In colour it is a warm brown, which har-
monises well with the darkness of the undergrowth. A
faint white eyebrow and two or three small white marks on
the wings are the only relief to its sombre colouring. Both
these markings are clearly visible in the picture reproduced
on page 85, and the characteristic attitude of energy and
alertness is also well depicted.

Notwithstanding its exceeding cunning in concealing its
home the Scrub Wren is not, as a rule, a difficult bird to
observe and photograph. A nest with eggs or young is
usually sufficient inducement to bring the bird into any
position desired. In fact on such occasions, but for its
continual scolding, it does not appear to take any notice of
the camera or of the intruder. The Darebin Creek pro-
vides plenty of cover for this species, and we have had
opportunities, on three or four occasions, of exposing plates
as the parents fed their young in the nest. The bird
pictured on page 85 was so trustful that we were able to
make exposures without moving at all from the camera.
We were, in fact, able to adjust the focussing screw while
the bird was in the desired position. The amount of
movement necessary to accomplish this is considerable, and
constitutes, at the distance of eighteen inches, a severe
strain upon the trustfulness of any bird. The nest in this
instance was built cunningly under the lower leaves of a
large thistle-like plant, which we have always called (incor-
rectly, we believe) an "artichoke." The parents had made

86

Nests of Fairy Martin.

87

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

several visits with food while we watched, and we had
traced their movements almost exactly ; still it was some
time before we could locate the nest.

The nest shown in the picture on page 83, was built with
much less attempt at concealment than is usually the case,
but there was some surrounding growth which had to be
parted somewhat to allow of a clear view. It is a typical
nest, being built of coarse grasses and lined warmly with
feathers. Very often rabbit fur is used as a lining. One
nest we discovered at Eltham some years ago was built ex-
ternally of skeleton leaves. It made an extremely pretty
picture.

The Scrub Wren also is an early builder. We have
frequently found nests before the end of July, and have
seldom seen them later than the end of September. The
eggs, usually three in number, are rather larger than the
size of the bird would lead one to expect. They are of a
white ground colour, very densely covered with small
purple-red specks, often so densely speckled as to have the
appearance of being wholly red.

The truth of our remarks regarding the interest of bird
observation at close quarters as against more distant obser-
vation is clearly demonstrated in the picture of a Ground
Lark, or Pipit, which appears on page 89. The photograph,
in many ways, is not a good one, but the mere fact that it is
almost an impossibility to view a live Ground Lark in the
wild state at close range, renders the details of plumage
apparent in the picture quite a surprise to the observer.
The protective coloration of these ground-building birds
was a factor operating against success in this case, but our
greatest difficulty lay in the universal wariness of the
species. The casual observer may not agree that the
Ground Lark is a wary bird. In our boyhood, certainly,
we did not experience any difficulty in locating its nest,
because, like most other species protectively coloured, it
does not rise until the intruder is within a couple of feet of
it. The real test of wariness commences, however, when a
camera or something else unusual is placed near its home,
and the bird is invited to carry out its ordinary duties.
Under this test we guarantee that any observer will find the
Ground Lark as wary as he wishes. It is a certainty that
tnis picture would never have been obtained had it not been
that the nest contained very young chicks which, the parent

88

Pipit, nest and vonn^.
89

BIRDS OP^ OUR BUSH

knew, could not be left exposed to the glare of the summer
sun for any length of time.

Some little idea of the difficulties overcome when this
picture was made, may be obtained from the fact that the
exposure was effected from a distance of more than two
hundred feet, where the operator was concealed in the bed
of a dry creek. He had not the slightest idea as to the
position of the bird when the shutter was released, and
simply judged that, by that time, the parent would be shel-
tering her young. Apparently she was just in the act of
leaving the nest. Possibly she had been startled by the
movement of the cotton, from the operator's hand amongst
the grass. It was a fortunate picture, in any case, and the
turn of the head in the direction of the camera was most
opportune. The newly-hatched young — protectively
coloured also with long grey down — may be seen in the nest.
The Ground Lark is a common brown and grey bird
well known everywhere. It builds a small round nest of
grasses in a depression in the ground, and lays three stone-
coloured eggs, marked with numerous spots of dark brown.
The life history of the Pipit exemplifies protective colora-
tion. The adult bird is protectively coloured, and, espe-
cially when sitting, makes the best use of this protec-
tion by remaining still. Its nest is built with due regard
to the colour of the surroundings, and the eggs harmonise
also. The young birds, when hatched, instead of being
naked and bare like most young birds, are covered with a
long down of neutral grey. Thus Nature, in her wisdom,
protects the Ground Lark against its enemies from infancy
onwards.

The suburb of Preston, like most outer suburbs of Mel-
bourne, has a running creek within its boundaries, and
such places always have a particular attraction for certain
birds. Perhaps the actual creek bird best known to the
ordinary observer is the Reed Warbler, a handsome,
sprightly bird, noisy yet capable of a pleasant song. The
Darebin Creek is well overgrown in parts with reeds which
provide excellent cover for the wonderful nests of this
species.

Our experience of the bird has been considerable, and it
is a matter of sincere regret to us that, so far, our collection
does not contain any picture of the adult bird. Photo-
graphs of young birds we might have had in plenty had it

90

Xest and eggs of Reed ^^'al•bler.

91

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

not been for the fact that our anxiety to picture the adult
birds left little time for photographing the young ones.

Now that we come to set down our experiences in writ-
ing, we have cause to regret many lost opportunities. Cer-
tainly we appreciate our pictures of adult birds the better
because of their rarity, and because of the difficulties
attendant on obtaining them, still we have failed to make
complete our record of the life history of many of our sub-
jects when we might have done so. We have to be con-
tent to draw attention to the picture appearing on page 91,
which is a fair representation of the home of this species.
A glance will be sufficient to convince the reader that the
Reed Warbler is an architect of no mean skill. The
manner in which the structure is built on to three or four
swaying reed stems is clever indeed. The bowl of the nest
is usually deep, and so holds the eggs safely when the reeds
encounter a strong wind. The interior is lined with fine
grass and rootlets, and the eggs, three or four in number,
are of a light stone ground, heavily blotched with darker
stone and purple markings.

The absence of photographs of this bird from our col-
lection does not indicate any lack of trying. More than
once these inhabitants of the Darebin Creek have been dis-
turbed from their domestic duties for a few hours while we
stood, knee-deep in water, carefully focussing the camera
on the swaying nest. Our only result has been several
severe colds. It is probable, however, that the rough
treatment these birds experience from boys, because. of the
ease with which their nests may be located, accounts for
their wariness in this particular district.

Our lack of success with the Reed Warbler has been, to
some extent, compensated for by our undoubted success
with its near neighbour, the Little Grass Bird, which is as
little known as the Reed Warbler is familiar. There are
few pictures of the Grass Bird published, and here again we
did not take full advantage of our opportunities. Most
certainly we could, in addition to securing pictures of the
adult birds, have obtained a fine series depicting the nest,
the eggs, and the young birds, as well. With our usual thirst
for the uncommon pictures, the quite necessary, though
simpler ones, were forgotten. The success we did attain,
however, was hardly won, and we are quite able to under-

92

Spotted Pardalote (female) near nesting burrow.
93

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

stand the comparative rarity of genuine pictures of the
species.

This little bird is protected by Nature in many ways,
and fairly effectively, too. It is protectively coloured, it
is a ventriloquist of no mean order, and, not deeming these
means of protection sufficient, is a very shy and wary bird
as well. It is small wonder that we had long speculated
as to the origin of its mournful whistle before we caught
a glimpse of the quiet little brown owner as it flitted noise-
lessly from one bed of reeds to another. In 1912 we first
made an investigation of the elusive note, which, though
quite full and distinct, we could not definitely trace to any
particular portion of the reed beds. We sat in the cover
of some bushes and waited. After a time we had several
glimpses of the birds as they moved across the open spaces,
but a long and diligent search failed to disclose any sign
of that which we sought. A little later on, however, we
did locate the remains of an old nest, which helped materi-
ally in our search the following season.

Before nesting commenced in November of the next year
we were able to obtain answers from the birds to our imita-
tions of their call. In fact, they several times showed a
considerable degree of curiosity as to their new neighbours.
Later, when they had settled down to the serious business
of nest building, they wisely refrained from any conversa-
tion with strangers. It was useless for us to attempt a
search of the whole of the great beds of reeds and rushes
in the vicinity, so we again adopted waiting tactics and
watched. We soon caught several glimpses of our sub-
jects fluttering quietly to and fro. After somewhat over
an hour spent thus, we arrived at the conclusion that their
home was in a small strip of rushes directly in front of
us. By a diligent search through water well over our
boot tops we at length located it just as we had begun to
doubt the correctness of our judgment. It was an untidy
structure which, nevertheless, harmonised so well with
the rushes that it escaped notice until we conceived the idea
of looking through the rushes for a dark spot against the
background of water. Rushes and grasses were used in
its external construction, but the inside was lined cosily
and carefully with feathers. Some nests of the species
are built with a hood of the same material forming a roof
over the eggs ; but this one, as well as three others we have

94

Grass Bird with insects.

95

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

seen, were simple cup-shaped structures. It contained
three eggs, flesh-coloured, and very closely marked with
small red spots.

Misfortune disfavoured our attempt a couple of weeks
later to obtain pictures. All we succeeded in getting was
a ducking.

The following year we located another nest in the same
locality. The three young birds which it contained were
so well advanced that they slipped silently into the rushes
before we had time to anticipate their intention. That
there should be a great deal of difficulty in capturing young
birds but two minutes after they had left the nest, and in
a reed bed of small dimensions, may be diflftcult for the
reader to realise. We would not have been able to realise
it either had we not experienced it. Even at this early age
the young birds had developed all the artfulness of their
parents, and it was not till three hours had passed that we
succeeded in capturing two of the three. The other one we
could not find anywhere. The secret of their elusiveness
lay in the fact of their protective coloration and their
silence. The two youngsters which were eventually cap-
tured, we found crouched down at the water's edge under
the overhanging bank. The movements of the parents led
to their undoing.

By the time we had accomplished these two captures, it
was far too dark for camera work, and we were faced with
the necessity of either liberating our spoil or of taking
them home with us — a distance of three miles or so. As
we did not wish to have a repetition of our troubles, we
decided on the latter course. They reposed quietly in a
boot box in our bedroom all that night.

Very little after daylight they again found themselves
on their native heath, needless to say minus their liberty.
The parents made little demonstration at their return, but
to our intense relief set about at once filling two aching
voids which must surely by that time have been somewhat
of a discomfort to their owners. We allowed them some
little time to recuperate, and then set about photography.
The pictures we eventually obtained cost four or five hours
of perspiration and patience.

Our experience pointed out one notable difi'erence
between the habits of the Grass Bird and those of most
other species. Most birds we have found to prefer using

96

CREEK LOVERS AND OTHERS

the highest and most prominent points in approaching their
nests or young. Not so the Grass Bird. Any object ele-
vated ever so little was consistently and resolutely shunned.
This was a serious disability from a photographic point of
view, because, as we have explained previously, it is neces-
sary to focus exactly upon some definite point, and to make
the exposure when that point is occupied. Eventually we
succeeded in inducing our subjects to agree to the degree of
elevation afforded by a stick lying on the ground. To
achieve even this result, it was necessary to cut off every
other avenue of approach by barriers of handkerchiefs and
other articles more likely to inspire fear than the chosen
perch.

Stubble Quail are fairly plentiful at certain periods in
and about the crop-paddocks along the course of the Dare-
bin. Once or twice we have found their nests, and once
we captured two young birds. The parents in either case,
however, were in no mood for portraiture. Protectively
coloured birds we have never found otherwise, and the
Quail is essentially a protectively coloured species. The
nest is not a nest at all (if such a statement may be
allowed). It is simply a depression in the ground, a few
grass stems, with a large clutch of spotted or blotched eggs
on top.

A nest of the Pectoral Rail, containing seven eggs, was
also found during a Saturday afternoon ramble through
the wilds of Preston. The opportunity of being disap-
pointed by the owner of this home was denied us by the dan-
gerously close proximity of some small boys, who would
have had their curiosity aroused had we attempted photo-
graphy. Probably we are not much worse off for the loss
of this opportunity, as the Rail is another bird protectively
coloured.

The suburban birds we have already mentioned, though
the list is far from complete, will be sufficient to keep any
beginner at bird-photography busy for a considerable
period. If they do not keep him employed until his appren-
ticeship is fully served, he is indeed fortunate.

97

Young White-backed Magpie.

98

PART III.
Birds of the Gum-Tree and Plain

Kookahurra.

100

CHAPTER VII.
Popular Australians.

THE birds best known to most Australians are those
common species of a size sufficient to command
attention. The smaller birds, speaking generally,
are much less widely known. Probably first in
order of popularity comes the Magpie, whose familiar out-
line, along with that of the Jackass, has adorned picture
postcards and souvenir booklets from the time when such
were first known in this country. The ferocity (fre-
quently quite unnecessary) exhibited by these birds during
the nesting season is well-known. One of the writers has
vivid recollections of unprovoked attacks by pairs which
unfortunately evinced a desire to rear broods in the vicinity
of his home. Most boys respect the pluck of the Magpie,
nevertheless, and we have known very few cases indeed
where one of the birds has been harmed as a result of its
ferocity, even when other and more innocent birds have
become the victims of the boy with the pea-rifle. Once or
twice we have seen a Magpie shot by an angry youth, and
on each occasion the perpetrator of the deed was talked to
severely by the rest of the company. There were four
species of birds which, in our day at any rate, ran little risk
at the hands of boys. They were the Magpie, the Jackass,
the Redbreast, and the Swallow. The last-named was held
especially sacred, and it was universally agreed that ill-luck
would befall the person who so much as robbed a Swallow
of its egg. So strong was this belief that there was only
one Swallow's egg in the whole of the collections in the
Meredith district, and the owner of that passed it off to his
fellows as an egg of the White-fronted Chat.

101

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

However, to return to the Magpie. It is our great
regret that such a popular and famous Australian should
not be well figured in this book. The best we can do for
the reader is a poor picture of a young bird bearing a very
woe-begone expression. Certainly there is a fine specimen
of the Magpie tribe tame, or supposed to be, in the back
yard of one of our homes. We could have pictured him and
done full justice to the dignity of the species, were it not
that, as explained before, we have a well-defined objection
to publishing pictures which are not genuine representa-
tions of the wild bird.

There are two species of Magpie in Victoria, and their
habits, we believe, are much alike. There is a noticeable
difference, however, which the names of the species indi-
cate, in the colour of the back. The White-backed species
is widely distributed, but the Black-backed is found only
on the Northern side of the Dividing Range and is therefore
little known to us. Our remarks, therefore, refer only to
the White-backs. Nests may be found early in the season,
from August onwards, so early that it comes often as a
shock when a sudden swoop and clap of a vicious beak
remind one that nesting has commenced. The nest is a
large structure of sticks, easily seen, at a fair height, in a
gum-tree for preference. It is lined with grasses and horse-
or cow-hair. The eggs, usually three in number, vary
greatly with the different clutches. So much so that
description is practically useless. The most usual colour,
however, is a stone ground, with heavy blotches of dark
brown or purple.

The Magpie is a useful insect destroyer, whose living
comes from the soil — rather unwillingly it may be said.
We are unable to say whether wild Magpies show similar
tendencies, but the so-called tame bird above referred to
has not a great deal of time — or space — for worms, unless
they are very small and tender. The larger ones he
ignores. Possibly he is too well fed.

The Kookaburra, or Laughing Jackass, is as well known
as the Magpie. However, these birds have little in common
other than that they derive their livelihood mainly from the
ground, and their dispositions are less alike than chalk and
cheese. The Magpie is a tireless, energetic bird, while the
Jackass is stolid and thoughtful.

With the Kookaburra we have had much more success

102

POPULAR AUSTRALIANS

than with the Magpie, and the picture reproduced on page
100 will give a clearer idea of the bird than pages of
description. We were exceptionally fortunate to obtain a
series of pictures of the Kookaburra. Incidentally, as
mentioned elsewhere, it is the nearest approach to picturing
a tame bird of which we have been guilty. It was a wild
bird, nevertheless, and there need be, we suppose, no real
reason for our qualms. We have to thank certain resi-
dents of Ferntree Gully for our ability to obtain the pic-
tures. Photography in large trees such as the Jackass
occupies usually necessitates the possession of a certain
amount of tackle ; and we had none. Our anxiety as to
whether we would be able to obtain pictures of such a re-
presentative bird therefore may be easily understood. We
awoke one morning to find the solution within our grasp.
Our week-end headquarters at Ferntree Gully possessed no
alarm-clock among its limited furnishings, nor was one
needed. Three or four Jackasses shared between them the
odium usually incurred by that household article. We
were soon struck by the degree of trustfulness exhibited by
the unconscious humourists, and found that the residents
were wont to feed them with scraps from their tables. Our
experiments in the same direction were successful to the
extent of the major portion of our meat supply, and we
found it necessary merely to train the camera on a stump
in the yard which was well adorned with steak, fastened
by the way, to prevent a too hasty disappearance. The
meat disappeared though, as also did the tacks used to
secure it, and the series of pictures necessitated the expen-
diture of quite a large sum on prime gravy beef at
fashionably extortionate prices.

There is no need to describe the habits of the Jackass, or
his idea of music — both are well known. The nest is
simply a hollow, usually in a fairly high tree, and the eggs
are laid on the powdered rotting wood. The eggs number
two or three, or more, and, as is usually the case with eggs
laid in a dark position, are pure white in colour.

When the Kookaburras at the Gully house greeted us on
one occasion with an introduction to three lusty and rowdy
young ones, we decided that a raw meat diet was out of
the question, so we dug in the ground instead. A more
arduous process, but cheaper. The three youngsters were
left in a row on the fence while the parents explored the

103

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

ground as it was turned. The fat white grubs, so much
appreciated in our young days for eel fishing, attracted
them mightily, and it was a pretty sight to see the three
young enthusiasts sparring for the choice of positions on
the rail.

In certain quarters lately, the Jackass has been subjected
to a fair amount of adverse criticism. Whether it is
merited or not we do not attempt to say, but we will ex-
press the opinion that it is a very dangerous practice for
a person with a reputation as an expert to indulge in any
adverse comments on a bird unless he is perfectly satis-
fied that the subject of his remarks is of absolutely no
value. There are quite a number of ignorant and vicious
people who are only too glad to take advantage of any
excuse for indulging their lust to kill. At any rate, it
appears remarkable that this old bird should have posed
as a benefactor for so long if his character is as bad as some
now paint it.

Whatever doubt there may be as to the usefulness of
the Jackass, there is no room for any with regard to the
Magpie Lark, or Mud Lark, as it is more usually called.
This is another bird of the open timber which has so far
eluded us. Its plumage is a pure white and a glossy black,
not unlike that of the Magpie. The Mud Lark, however,
is a much smaller bird. It may frequently be seen feeding
over swampy ground or in the shallow water around the
edge of some waterhole. Its claim to extreme usefulness
rests on its partiality for a small water snail which har-
bours, in one stage of its growth, the destructive liver fluke
— the bane of the sheep farmer. The nest of the species is
a cleverly constructed bowl of mud, lined with grasses, and
placed on a horizontal branch of fair size. There are
only four Australian birds within the range of our ex-
perience which build homes of mud. The Welcome Swal-
low, the WTiite-winged Chough, and the species under
review build open cup-shaped structures, while another
species of Swallow, the Fairy Martin, builds a remarkable
bottle-shaped nest having the entrance in the form of a
long neck. The appearance of the last-named home will be
seen in the illustration appearing on page 87.

The nesting season of the Magpie Lark may be
expected to commence about the month of October. The
eggs, usually three or four in number, are also subject to

104

striated Tit.

105

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

considerable variation. The most usual colour is a faint
pink ground, with red or reddish brown spots, especially
about the larger end.

The native Miner is a noisy bird of the Honeyeater
family, with a bad reputation among sportsmen. The
ground for their complaint arises out of the warning alarm
notes spread far and wide by the Miner on the approach
of an intruder. It is a quietly coloured grey bird, but a
patch of bare yellow skin around each eye gives it a rather
peculiar appearance. Once, and once only, have we enter-
tained hopes of photographing one of the species, and we
were mightily excited about it, too. A pair, rather more
trusting than usual, had built their nest in a very small
bush on the banks of a creek at Meredith. We watched
the nest in the building, and rejoiced when we saw the first
egg. The following day a flood removed the nest and the
egg, and our hopes also.

The Wattle Bird is another Honeyeater, just as noisy
as the Miner and its hoarse barking call is even less
musical than that of the latter species. At Cowes, Phillip
Island, there are a great number of Wattle Birds,
attracted, apparently, by the Banksia trees which grow
there in profusion. The usual bullying habits of the
Honeyeaters are well maintained by this bird, and we be-
came quite annoyed at the action of a pair which discovered,
as we did, the nesting hole of a family of Orange-tipped
Pardalotes in one of the Banksias in the front garden. They
gave those Pardalotes absolutely no rest from daylight to
dark. As soon as the smaller bird arrived in the nesting
tree with food for its brood, or left the nesting hole to
search for more, the larger one swooped down upon it
furiously.

Almost all Honeyeaters show a tendency to bully
smaller birds. The Noisy Miner, we think, is the most in-
offensive of the family.

In the Greensborough district we have more than once
happened across colonies of the White-browed Babbler, a
very noisy, sociable, and energetic inhabitant of the
medium-sized timber. It is a brown bird, having a long,
slim body, a long tail, a white eyebrow, and an everlasting
chatter. The nest is a large stick one, untidy, and with
the entrance in the side. As a matter of fact, the bird
usually builds two or more nests, but uses one only. Just

106

Wliite-browed Wood Swallow (female) at nest.

107

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

what purpose the remaining nests serve is difficult to deter-
mine, though it is suggested that they are used as play
nests. Certainly the Babbler is a very playful bird, and
this explanation is possibly correct. How^ever, we almost
invariably favour explanations based upon the undoubted
instinct of all wild things to protect themselves, and in this
case incline to the belief that the untenanted nests are in-
tended to deceive some enemy. Perhaps the Cuckoo imposes
upon the Babbler just as it does upon some of the smaller
birds.

We located one accessible nest, which contained three
ugly, naked young ones, and unnumbered small visitors
besides. These insects are popular neighbours of the
Babbler. A wait of half-an-hour — the camera up the tree
and ourselves at the foot — convinced us that our attenipt
was futile.

The socialistic habits of the Babblers are well known.
They are an extremely happy family ; in fact, one of their
popular names indicates this. It is also said that the
members of a colony set about building the whole of the
nests required, just in the same way as the Fairy Martin is
believed to do.

Round the Ferntree Gully house many of the larger gum-
tree birds frolicked or hunted a while and then departed.
The Butcher Bird, or, as we used to know him, the Whist-
ling Jack, was a frequent visitor, and his loud flute-like
notes disproved the statement that Australia rears no song
birds. The Butcher Bird is a murderous rascal, how-
ever, with a cruel beak and wicked eye. He has a reputa-
tion for dragging defenceless cage birds through the bars,
and for hanging his victims in a fork for the purpose of
more effective dismemberment. We remember one occa-
sion, long years before any thought of photography had
entered our heads, climbing half way to a nest containing
young birds. That was as far as we got. The fury of
the irate parents made it a positive danger to the climber's
eyes to proceed further. The nest is a stick one, after the
fashion of that of the Magpie, but smaller.

Of the Parrots, Rosellas were, of course, common, and
Crimson Parrots, or "Red Lories," to a lesser degree. Their
nests we have found in plenty, and we have removed the
young ones to captivity many a time in our young days. We
have not, however, discovered a nest suitably situated for

108

POPULAR AUSTRALIANS

an attempt at photography. In any case, these birds would
probably be difficult subjects to photograph. One drought
year in the Meredith district the pretty little Cockatoo
Parrakeet, well known, we believe, in the neighbourhood of
the Murray River, appeared in numbers, although not pre-
viously known in the locality. They nested in rail fences
and small trees — anywhere, in fact. We had one in a cage
some years later. After laying eight white rounded eggs,
it succeeded in eating its way out of prison and departed.

Far back in our very young days, when we shot with a
pea-rifle instead of with a camera, our efforts were often
directed towards the little Musk Lorikeet, or Green Keet,
which congregated in noisy flocks in the gum trees. As
the latter name indicates, they are small green birds, very
pretty to see, though anything but musical to hear. We
learned nothing of their nesting habits in these shooting
days, but proved many a time the extraordinary tenacity to
life of this and most other species of Parrots. The Lori-
keet does considerable damage at certain seasons amongst
the orchards, and this fact accounted for the wholesale
slaughter in which we participated.

In the mountain timber round and about the Gully, we
frequently saw and heard the large Black Cockatoo which
associated in small flocks of eight or ten birds well back
from the busy highways. Frequently, also, we saw evi-
dence of its search for food under the bark of large trees,
limbs of which were stripped bare. Timber-loving grubs
form a stable item in the menu of the species.

Two other species of Cockatoo are distant acquaintances
of ours also. The dark grey and red-headed Gang Gang
in country similar to that beloved of the Black Cockatoo,
and the common Galah, or Rose-breasted Cockatoo, in the
open plain timber. The two birds are frequently confused
by the casual observer, though little resemblance will be
noticed when the species are seen together.

The Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike, frequently, though
erroneously, called the Blue Pigeon, is a graceful bird of
slaty grey plumage and with a black face. It nests fairly high,
and for that reason has escaped our attentions so far. The
nest, furthermore, being very shallow, is not easily seen
from beneath. Except in size, it much resembles that of
the little Brown Flycatcher. The eggs, usually two in
number, are dark green, thickly blotched with purple and

109

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

brown markings. The flight of the bird is undulating, and
its note a harsh gurgle.

Our experience of the Pigeon family has been limited to
a distant acquaintance with two species. The Bronze-
wing Pigeon is a bird about the size of the common pigeon
which inhabits our city buildings, — by no means rare, but
of habits which render a close friendship unlikely. Once
years ago we discovered a nest, but unfortunately had no
means of obtaining the portrait of its owner. It was built
on the horizontal branch of a small gum-tree near which
we happened to be camped. The female sat on her two
white eggs with apparent unconcern at our proximity. In
this instance, at any rate, the stick nest was so frail that
the eggs could be plainly seen from beneath. The general
appearance of the bird is brown, while the legs are red.
As the name indicates, the wings have a beautiful bronze
sheen, exactly similar to that of the wings of the Bronze
Cuckoo.

The Wonga Wonga Pigeon is a much larger bird, and is
really rare. We were fortunate enough to obtain a fair
view of one of them on a densely timbered hillside at Fern-
tree Gully. Its slaty-grey back and white underparts
mystified us at first. Both of the species mentioned feed
on seeds and fallen fruits.

The Southern Stone Plover, commonly called the "Cur-
lew," is a large open country bird, unfortunately becoming
rare. It stands about twenty inches high, and has a
streaked grey plumage which harmonises well with the
class of ground which it frequents. The eggs are laid on
the bare earth, and are also protectively coloured.

We have seen the species only once in its natural sur-
roundings. The lightly timbered plain country around
Meredith suited them admirably until such pests as foxes
and firearms in undeserving hands, thinned them out con-
siderably. An extended period of watching, and a very
diligent search failed to disclose a nest of the pair of birds
mentioned.

One dark night, while feeling our way up the hill to
the Gully house with the aid of a wire fence which led in
a convenient direction, we came face to face with a
young Frogmouth staring wide-eyed at us from one of the
posts. His sudden and unexpected appearance gave us a
creepy ghost feeling, but we secured him nevertheless. We

110

HI

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

took him to the house and examined him, his parents the
while expressing themselves in their own weird booming
fashion. Had our cameras been handy, he would have
remained with us till the morning. As it was we allowed
him to depart.

On the main Sassafras road, near the Station, a pair of
pretty little Sacred Kingfishers seemed to have established
their home. Their shrill monotonous call could be heard at
almost any hour of the day. We have searched long and
diligently for a nest which would give promise of photo-
graphic results, but so far we have not succeeded, and our
only knowledge of the habits of the bird is the memory of
a nest found away back in the dim past of childhood's days.

On page 111 is reproduced a photograph for which we
would deem it necessary to offer an apology, were it not for
the fact that pictures of the bird are not common. The
primitive apparatus in use when the snap was taken, more-
over, rendered any degree of success at all something to be
prized. The Straw-necked Ibis is a fine bird — a noble
bird to look at, and a useful one as well. Like the Cockatoo
Parrakeet already referred to, it puts in an appearance in
the Meredith district or round about Melbourne only when
a bad season depletes its food supply further north. A
flock of several hundred Ibis, indulging in their slow, uni-
form flight, is a sight indeed. The picture mentioned was
taken in December, 1909, while flocks of this solitary sub-
ject's companions were taking toll of the grasshoppers and
similar pests in the sheep runs within a few miles of the
township. The reason for this bird's hermit disposition
we know not. He made a good living, that was evident,
from the shallow water round the edges of the water-holes
in the vicinity of the Railway Station. The photograph
is one of the few we have been able to secure without the
accustomed attraction of a nest or young birds. This bird
was simply feeding, and was driven into the required posi-
tion by the brother and sister of one of the writers. The
old magazine camera was fastened firmly to the ground
with sticks and trained on a small piece of bark at a mea-
sured distance in the shallow water. When the operator
had retired with a considerable length of thick cord
attached to the camera shutter, the other member's of the
partv, by a judicious disposition of their fo^-ces, directed the
subject's feeding operations in the required direction. Once

112

POPULAR AUSTRALIANS

or twice the old fellow appeared "fed up," to use an Aus-
tralianism, with being shadowed, and appeared disposed to
remove himself to one of the other waterholes near by.
This disaster was averted, however, and at length the wait-
ing photographer, from his observation post, was satisfied
that his subject occupied a position very little removed from
that marked by the bark. Then he closed his eyes and
pulled with all his might. It required some pressure to
release the shutter of this old camera. The result is a
faint and very disproportioned idea of the appearance of
the bird.

In real life the Ibis does not stand ten feet in his bare
feet, as the picture suggests, but about one-fifth of that
measurement. The lack of proportion is caused by the
undue conflict of the bird with trees, and with the large
building in the background. This in turn has been the
result of the camera being operated from the ground, an
unnatural position. The large building referred to is the
Meredith Railway Station. The Straw-necked Ibis feeds
upon grasshoppers and other pests, and well deserves the
worship which the Egyptians bestowed on their form of
the species. The back of the Straw-necked Ibis is a beau-
tiful glossy black, and the underparts snow white. Its
name is derived from the straw colour of the neck and upper
breast.

On one occasion, several years ago, we came very near
to obtaining pictures of a most interesting subject. While
spending a short holiday at Warrandyte, we discovered the
hanging nest of the Olive-backed Oriole in a gum sapling
at a fair height above the ground. We shinned up and
disturbed two foolish-looking young birds just about ready
to leave home. Whether ready or not, they left, and we
captured them on the ground below. They sat for us, with
a considerably bored expression, on a stick while we made
ready to picture their parents when they should arrive to
feed them. In about an hour it became apparent that our
first experience of the Oriole was not likely to be successful,
but we persevered. Heavy clouds obscured the sun, how-
ever, just at a time when our subjects were becoming
courageous, and we had to desist. We photographed the
young birds as they sat, and the result was the most laugh-
able bird picture we have taken. The expression of utter
stupidity which our negative showed, we have found to be

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

implanted also upon the faces of young of the species
photographed by other observers. Unfortunately, our
negative long ago came to grief. The adult Oriole is a
fine bird, with a bright green-brown back, and underparts
of light grey, streaked with dark markings. The bill is red
and the eye a bright scarlet.

114

CHAPTER VIII.

Numerous Small Subjects.

THE class of country beloved of the Magpie, the Miner
and other species mentioned in the preceding
chapter, has many other and more accessible in-
habitants. Those birds which see fit to build their
homes upon the ground, or, more correctly, in the ground,
best suit the convenience of the Nature photographer.
There are not many such species — we wish there were
more — but the few there are have had a considerable
amount of our unwelcome patronage. Our chief offence in
this respect is against the Pardalotes, small, engaging birds
which, but for the expense, we could photograph continu-
ally without becoming weary. Between us we have about
forty pictures of these birds, and have, in addition, con-
signed dozens of "second rates" to the scrap-heap. Our
experience of the Diamond Birds, which is their popular
name, is confined to two species, although there are others
in Victoria.

The larger species, the Orange-tipped Pardalote, has re-
ceived most of our attention. The open, and in places,
sandy, country in the Greensborough and Eltham districts
provides a wealth of nesting sites. The sides of dry water-
courses and of unused sand pits are favourite positions, and
the same nesting holes are used year after year. The nest
is built always in a tunnel, sometimes in a tree, but more
often in the ground. In the latter case the tunnel is
drilled by the aid of beak and claw, with a slightly upward
tendency toward the nesting chamber, presumably to pre-
vent dampness in wet weather. They are energetic

115

Spotted Pardalotc approaching nesting burrow.

116

NUMEROUS SMALL SUBJECTS

builders, and their nest, a neat structure of stringy bark and
grasses, is a marvel of bird architecture, considering the
fact that it is built in the darkness of the tunnel. Our
partiality, as photographers, to this little bird has two
causes. First, the extreme trustfulness of the adults ; and,
secondly, the ease with which their movements, or those of
any other birds building similarly, may be foretold. They
can enter the nest by one means only, and the operator dis-
poses his forces accordingly. Such is the reputation with
us of this species that it is quite a common practice, if
towards the end of the day we have failed to obtain any
pictures, to visit one or other of the many spots we know
to be beloved of Diamond Birds, and there relieve our dis-
appointment by watching and picturing them to our hearts'
content. Anyone who knows how disappointing it is to
walk all day without achieving any result, will not accuse us
of wastefulness in picturing birds, such as these, of which
we already have a fairly complete record.

Our reliance on the trustfulness of the Pardalote has
once or twice led us into difficulties. On one occasion, after
singing the praises of the species to an observer, who had
evidently not found them tractable, we volunteered to give
him an opportunity of experiencing their charm. He
readily agreed, and endured quite light-heartedly a four-mile
walk on a scorching day, to the particular sand-pit selected.
Three or four hours of torment by flies and mosquitoes,
and of thirst unquenched, was rewarded only by an occa-
sional glimpse of the birds at a distance of several yards.
Apparently the nest contained, at the time, neither eggs nor
young, otherwise this pair of birds, friends of three seasons,
would not have been guilty of such conduct. We three
walked home in the cool of the evening feeling very glum,
the visitor especially. The pictures we have of this bird
are amongst our best, as the reader will be able to verify.
This, no doubt, is due partly to their trustfulness and partly
to the position of their home. Those two advantages
eliminate the greatest of the many difficulties which beset
the bird-photographer.

The bird pictured on page 119 had its nest stowed away
in a small hollow log lying on the ground. Young birds
could be distinctly heard inside, and when the parent
arrived with food to satisfy their wants, she found the
front door of her home closed with a piece of stick, which,

1 17

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

by the way, may be seen in the right hand bottom corner
of the picture. She also found two intruders and an
unnatural looking object with a large bright eye staring
downward threateningly. She took very little notice, how-
ever, and perched on the point of the nesting log
in exactly the position desired by the intruders. She
stayed there a long time, and returned repeatedly. Her
antics and her plaintive little call when she found all efforts
to remove the obstruction unavailing were rather pitiful,
and we were constrained to allow her in. Before doing so,
however, we obtained a picture while our subject was in the
act of emitting the call mentioned. The sound the camera
failed to reproduce, but the characteristic stretching of the
neck and sideways turn of the head are well depicted.

The Orange-tipped Pardalote is a small grey and brown
bird, with a darker head streaked white, and a streak of
white and yellow over each eye. There is also a streak
of yellow on each flank. In the photograph the yellow
markings mentioned appear as a medium brown. The
incorrectness of the colour rendering is one of the defects
in wild life photography.

The nest has been described. The eggs, being in a
dark position, are pearly white, and of a size somewhat
larger than one would expect. The usual clutch is three or
four.

The Spotted Pardalote differs greatly in appearance
from the Orange-tipped, but otherwise possesses much
the same characteristics. It always builds in the ground,
and is also a tractable subject. It is a beautiful little bird,
its dark brown plumage being spangled with small spots of
white. Its throat is a bright yellow, and the tail coverts
both below and above are brightly coloured with red orange
and yellow. The total length of the bird is three and a
half inches, somewhat smaller than the other species.

Our experience of this Diamond Bird also is consider-
able. We first met it, so far as we know, at Warrandyte in
1910, when we spent a short holiday there. In the bank
of a little creek near the township we noticed a small bird
disappear, and investigated. It came out with a rush
almost in our faces, and we set up the camera. In a very
little time both birds were in a small bush beside us, and
showed very little hesitation about entering their home. We
photographed both male and female, and then caught the

Orange-tipped Pardalote.

119

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

birds as they left the nest. Even this unusual treatment
had little effect on their trustfulness, and they continued
their work as soon as they were liberated.

In the banks of a sand pit between Greensborough and
Eltham a pair of ''Spotties" nested every season, and were
disturbed also every season by our attentions. A photo-
graph of the site of this nest is reproduced on page 128, and
will convey some idea of the class of position chosen by both
species of Diamond Bird. The entrance to the nesting
hole is plainly visible. The picture of a male ''Spottie"
was obtained near this nest.

The haunts of the Diamond Birds in the Greens-
borough and Eltham districts are also famous to us for the
oppoitunities of observing the Speckled Warbler, a small
bird, not uncommon but far from widely known. The
opportunities for its observation in this district are un-
limited, as we have stated, but the opportunities for photo-
graphing it are rare — here or elsewhere. It is not at all
an easy bird to deal with, and, so far as we are aware, we
possess the only pictures of it in its natural surroundings.
What credit there is due to us for such a result has been
hard-earned, as it was after many hours of patient waiting
at scores of nests that we happened across a pair of birds
more trustful than usual. Not that we can say that even
that degree of trustfulness rendered photography an easy
matter.

This particular nest was built amongst the very short
grass of an open paddock, and without cover of any kind.
It was not easy to locate, nevertheless, as it is a confirmed
habit of the species to spare no pains to disguise its home
This is done very successfully, too, a fact which is proved
by the conspicuous absence of the egg from the collections
of most of the egg-collecting boys of our day. The
material of which the nest was composed harmonised so
well with the surroundings that we had considerable diffi-
culty in finding it even when we flushed the bird at close
quarters. The parents were busy with a brood of young
ones recently hatched, and this fact probably accounted
for our success eventually. When the camera had been
placed in position and trained on the entrance of the nest —
the doorstep as it were — we found it necessary to retire to
such a distance that it was impossible to see clearly.
Within half-an-hour the birds had visited the nest once or

120

21

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

twice, but had kept a very sharp eye on the camera. Head
and shoulders were thrust into the doorway before
we had any opportunity of making an exposure, and we
found it necessary to change our tactics. A piece of white
quartz was placed level with the ground for the purpose of
assisting us to determine when the subject occupied the
correct position. The entrance to the nest was also closed
to allow us breathing space during the temporary consterna-
tion of the parents. Even then the chances of any great
success were small, and the negatives, when developed, were
a very pleasant surprise. Portion of the nest may be seen
in front of the bird.

The Speckled Warbler is a quiet, unobtrusive bird. It
searches for insects amongst the grass, and proceeds over
the ground by a series of hops. It is only during the nest-
ing season that any but the keen observer is likely to be
aware of its presence, but at that time it scolds at the in-
truder in an unmistakably aggrieved fashion. The nest,
as we have already indicated, is built with a deep regard
to the protection of its contents. Usually it is built under
the cover of some plant or tuft of grass, and is then doubly
protected. It is built of grasses and the like, and is warmly
and thickly lined, often with rabbit fur.

The plumage of the Speckled Warbler is brown and
heavily streaked, as the picture will show. These mark-
ings harmonise well with the dry brown grass amongst
which the bird finds its living. The degree of protection
afforded in this way will be quickly gathered by the
observer, who, without the aid of field glasses, attempts
from a distance of fifty feet or so to keep the quiet little
subjects under observation.

The eggs are extraordinary. No wonder they were
prized in our young days. Not only are they hard to pro-
cure, but their deep chocolate red colour make them indeed
things of beauty. This colour is quite uniform, no spots
of any kind appearing on the glossy surface.

In the course of an eight-mile walk to Greensborough,
on many occasions, we have come across isolated pairs of
the Yellow-breasted Shrike Tit, a fine-looking bird, not
unlike the male Golden-breasted Whistler, though much
more energetic. Both male and female, moreover, are
brightly coloured, and not the male only, as in the case of

122

NUMEROUS SMALL SUBJECTS

the Whistlers. The main feature of the appearance of the
bird is a prominent and immovable black crest.

Its food comes from beneath the bark of trees, and the
short stout bill is used to good effect in the search for the
insects and grubs to which it is partial. If the bird were
common about suburban gardens, it is quite possible that
many of our ornamental Acacias would thrive there instead
of falling victims to the inevitable borer.

The nest is as a rule built fairly high, and in a gum
sapling for preference. It is made of grasses and bark,
and is neatly and evenly covered with cobweb. Mr. A. H.
Chisholm, who is the moving spirit in Queensland bird
study, and an ardent bird protectionist, devoted a consider-
able amount of time to observing and photographing these
birds when he resided at Maryborough, Victoria. His
notes and his pictures are most interesting, as, in fact, are
all works from the same source.

The Swallow — Welcome or House Swallow — is a com-
mon bird known to everyone. Almost everyone also knows
that it follows the summer from one portion of Australia to
another, sometimes even its migration is much more exten-
sive and other countries are reached. It is a wonderful
journey for a small bird, and a glance at the picture on
page 32 will show how Nature has provided it for under-
taking such extensive migration. Its body is long and
slender, as if built for speed, and its wings are both large
and powerful. The great speed which the Swallow is able
to attain is well known.

It is a homely bird, never more satisfied than when
relying for shelter for its mud nest on house or shop veran-
dahs, or other works of man. One evening, while walking
along Chapel Street, Prahran, a very busy street, we
counted no less than nine nests built under the shop
verandahs.

We are extremely fortunate to have been able to photo-
graph the Swallow. The position of its nest usually does
not lend itself readily to photography, on account of the
absence of strong light. After a long search, however,
we found a nest in an unusual position, which gave just
the opportunity we sought. It was built upon a post in
the trench which holds the disappearing targets at the rifle
range at Meredith. This trench is fitted with a lid which
is removable, and an abundance of bright, unaccustomed

123

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

light was easily admitted to the nest. We found, how-
ever, that the Swallow, although fond of human society,
is rather differently inclined when faced with a camera.
Most of the birds which build around the home of man
show similar tendencies. Thus it was after a day and
a half of patient planning and working that a couple of
exposures were made. The photograph reproduced is the
result of one of them.

The Swallow is a useful insect destroyer. Here again
Nature has fitted it admirably for its work. The picture
will show that the beak of the bird is short and wide. This
form is particularly suited to the unusual manner in which
the insects are captured. The wide bill is opened, and,
during the bird's rapid flight, collects the small insects from
the air. Most persons will have noticed how the Swallow
skims backward and forward close to the ground, or close
to the water. It may often be seen performing similar
manoeuvres close to the feet of a pedestrian as he rouses
myriads of small insects from their hiding places amongst
the grass.

The Swallow's nest is as wonderful as the bird, which is
an architect of no mean order. The picture will illustrate
this point. The nest is made entirely of small globules of
mud collected and placed in position with the wide beak.
Grass stems are used to bind the mud and prevent it from
crumbling, just in the same way as the plasterer mixes
cowhair or other material with his plaster. How many of
the clever inventions of man there are which could have
been learned from these lesser examples of Nature's handi-
work. More remarkable still is the manner in which these
nests, built against an upright post or wall, without even
the support afforded to the one pictured, still retain their
position, and carry the weight of parents and young ones.
Feathers form the lining of the nest, and a soft bed for the
young ones.

The eggs, usually four or five in number, are small and
white, marked with small spots, often nearly black. The
nesting season commences early, eggs being often laid
before the end of September.

Even more remarkable skill in nest building is exhibited
by another species, very similar to the Welcome Swallow.
This is the Fairy Martin, or Bottle Swallow. The latter
name is derived from the shape of the home upon which

124

Speckled ^^'arb]el■ at nest.

125

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

the bird's skill is employed. The picture appearing on
page 87 shows clearly the character of this wonderful struc-
ture. It is built, like the home of the Welcome Swallow,
of mud collected and placed in position by the bill. One
marvels at the manner in which the nest of the Welcome
Swallow retains its position against a perpendicular wall,
but that phenomenon is commonplace as compared with
the manner in which the mud home of the Bottle Swallow
remains secure through wind and weather and carries the
strain placed upon it when four fully grown young birds
occupy its cosy interior. The Fairy Martin also uses grass
stems and the like to bind the mud, but appears to be too
tidy and thorough to allow any ends to show when the nest
is complete. Both the Welcome Swallow and this species
commence their nest with a crescent of mud foundation,
upon which the rest is gradually built up. In the picture
of Fairy Martins' nests one of these crescents, abandoned
evidently, may be seen.

The Fairy Martins are remarkable in still another way.
Their nests are built close together in groups often much
larger than that photographed. Sometimes there are hun-
dreds of these homes together in some little cave or niche
in a wall of rock. It is also said that a company of these
birds club together when nest-building begins, and con-
struct, by common effort, enough nests for the whole flock.
Perhaps the presence of unfinished nests, such as the one
already referred to, can be accounted for by the too hasty
action of the flock of birds and a subsequent discovery that
there is one foundation too many. Our actual experience
of the bird is small, thanks to the action of boys, who, in the
Greensborough district, at any rate, never allow young
birds to appear in the nests. It is quite evident that the
Fairy Martin does not enjoy the immunity from interfer-
ence that the Welcome Swallow did in our day. We have,
moreover, had no opportunity of investigating the correct-
ness or otherwise, of the general belief as to their method
of home building.

Nests of the species we have found in October and later.
The usual clutch of eggs is three or four, and in appearance
they resemble those of the Welcome Swallow.

Our experience of the Finches, or, more correctly. Grass
Finches, in the wild state has been limited, partly because
there are really only two species found within the range of

126

NUMEROUS SMALL SUBJECTS

our observations, and they are not at all easy to photo-
graph. The Spotted-sided Finch, more commonly known
as the Diamond Sparrow, is a popular aviary bird, with a
certain claim to beauty. Unfortunately, it is not at all
common around Greensborough and Eltham, and our ex
perience is limited to three or four passing glimpses. It
feeds on the ground, and, when thus employed, somewhat
resembles the well-known White-fronted Chat. When on
the wing, however, prominent white spangles on its sides,
and bright red at the base of the tail, quickly distinguish it
from the other species.

The little Red-browed Finch we know more about. It
also is a well-known aviary bird, but there is little need
to confine it in an aviary when it may be seen in great num-
bers not more than six or seven miles from the city. In the
Greensborough district its large untidy nests occupy many
of the creekside bushes and shrubs. The general appear-
ance of the Wax-bill, as it is more generally called, is a
warm brown, while a bright red mark appears above each
eye. The base of the tail is similarly coloured.

More than once we have attempted to photograph the
Wax-bill, but up to the present without success. We
have found it to be not at all confiding in its ways.
The outside of the nest is untidy, as has been indicated,
but it is clean, which is a great deal more than can be said of
the inside. This is one of the few birds known to us
which makes no attempt to clean its nest, and the result is
not inviting. Quite often as many as seven small white
eggs are laid. In fact, we have more than once been led
to believe that two birds had laid, and were incubating in
the same nest.

The Chestnut-eared Finch is another hardy and ener-
getic Grass Finch. It, however, is not known so far south
as Melbourne. Around Bendigo, we believe, the bird is
often seen in large numbers.

Much of our effort and energy has been wasted upon a
little bird whose picture we have always been eager to
obtain. The Grass Warbler, or Corn Bird, is one of the
most remarkable inhabitants of crop and grass lands, where
its weird note may often be heard, but the owner is seldom
seen. Its flight is weak, and when it essays to travel by
air it may easily be mistaken for a large butterfly. Almost
as soon as the crops are sufficiently grown to provide cover

127

f^i.

t4>A>

Nesting site of Spotted Pardalutt'.

(The entrance to the buri'ow may be seen alxjut the centie of

the ])icture.)

28

NUMEROUS SMALL SUBJECTS

for the Grass Warbler, two whistling notes, followed by a
rasping sound, greets the ear of the Nature student, but fail
to attract the attention of others. It is extremely difficult
to trace this call, moreover, as the owner thereof is an
efficient ventriloquist.

Possibly we would have succeeded before now in locat-
ing a nest of the species were it not for the fact that any
kind of crop in these days is far too valuable to be trodden
down by roaming bird observers. Only once have we been
able to make a serious attempt to trace the bird to its home,
which in this case we judged to be hidden in a self-sown and
not very valuable crop. We were unsuccessful, but the
insight which we there obtained into its ways may be
useful to us later on.

Many people are unaware that we have a native Song
Lark which soars as it sings, just as the English Skylark
does. Our Lark has not a song comparable with that of
the introduced bird, but the credit nevertheless that is due
to it in this respect is usually assigned to the English Lark.
When seen, moreover, the Song Lark is frequently confused
with our own Pipit, so that in all respects its light is hidden
beneath a bushel. The nest and eggs resemble greatly
those of the Pipit.

That wonderful bird, the Bee-eater, is not a South Vic-
torian native ; we only wish that it were. We have a great
and strong desire to picture a species of such remarkable
beauty, and have also one eye on the fact that it is one of
those satisfactory nest builders which choose a burrow in
the ground. As the name of the bird indicates, it is not
averse to putting a bee in its place now and again, thereby
incurring displeasure in certain circles. However, it
would have been just as correct to call the bird the Insect-
eater, as it disposes of many more of other insects than it
does of bees. Probably, also, its reputation would have
been much better as a result of such a course. As matters
stand, its name has probably a great deal more to do with
its unpopularity than has the number of bees it destroys.

We saw the Bee-eater once, once only, and for a fraction
of a second. We believe that a record of the bird so far
south is very unusual, but we are positive that our observa-
tion was correct. The bird we saw was disporting itself
in the tea-tree scrub along the course of the Plenty River,
Greensbo rough. We both saw it just for an instant, and

E 129

■r ^ ' :^

w ■ ^-swmlf

^ . *^

Flame-breasted i;()l)in (male)

130

NUMEROUS SMALL SUBJECTS

then it disappeared forever. The general appearance of
the upper surface of the bird is a brownish green, while the
tail is black and the throat is a beautiful orange. To com-
plete its remarkable appearance, two long feathers project
far beyond the rest of the tail in a manner quite uncommon
amongst birds which inhabit districts so far south as does
the Bee-eater.

In the restricted area of timbered country covered by
our observations three species of Robins make their homes.
Two of them are what are popularly termed Redbreast-5.
The most common of these is the Scarlet-breasted Robin, a
bird which, so far as colour is concerned, leaves the English
Robin, of which we have all read, very far behind. As a
matter of fact, when compared with our own Redbreasts,
the English bird does not merit the name. Its breast is of
a rusty colour, and not at all red, as we understand the term.

The male Scarlet-breast is a beautiful bird. Its back
is a good glossy black, while a prominent white mark
appears on each wing. The breast is bright scarlet, and
the remainder of the underparts greyish white. It builds
freely in the timbered lands around Ferntree Gully, and we
discovered many nests during our week-end rambles. At
several of these we made attempts to photograph the adult
birds, but were never successful. At Evelyn, however, we
discovered a nest building in a pile of firewood stacked
ready for carting. On a very wet week-end a few weeks
later we paid a visit to the spot, and crawled up a hollow
log near by to wait for the weather to break. The weather,
however, was more inclined to break records than other-
wise, and we sat in misery. Furthermore, we were not
used to sitting still, and found it hard to endure. After a
couple of hours of that patent unbreakable weather, pecu-
liar to the hill country, we decided to leave our shelter. We
set up the camera before the nest, and soon found that, if
we did not appreciate shelter, the female Scarlet-breast did.
She sat very closely. Our only difficulty was the absence
of light and the presence of rain drops which persisted in
adorning the lens. The photograph we obtained was taken
under great difficulties, and we are rather proud of it.

The usual daintiness of this bird's nest is not apparent
in the one pictured. It was unusually untidy and built in
an unusual position. The site generally chosen is the fork
of a medium-sized tree, and ten feet or so above the ground.

131

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

The height of the breeding season is towards the end of
November. The eggs are usually two or three in number,
and are of a ground colour between a slaty stone and green,
with blotches and markings of brown and dark stone. The
young birds, when fledged, little resemble the parents. They
are of a mottled brown colour, and difficult to distinguish
from the surroundings.

The female of this species, and that of the Flame-
breasted Robin, the other Red-breast known to us, resemble
each other greatly. The female Scarlet-breast, however,
very often has a very faint wash of red on the breast, which
the female Flame-breast never has. Otherwise they are
plain grey birds, with a marking of lighter colour on the
wings.

The males of the species are easily distinguished. The
back of the male Flame-breast is of a dark grey colour,
instead of a glossy black and the red of its breast is less
vivid, but continues the whole length of the underparts of
the body, instead of covering the breast only, as in the
case of the Scarlet. The most easily remembered differ-
ence is in the patches of white, which appear on the fore-
head of each species. In the Scarlet-breast this mark is
large and prominent. In the Flame-breast it is smaller,
and much less noticeable.

The appearance of the Flame-breasted male may be
gathered, minus the colouring, from the picture reproduced
on page 130. This picture was taken some years ago at
Olinda, a small township about seven miles from Ferntree
Gully. The photograph has a history. We were spend-
ing the Christmas holidays at Olinda, and sallied out on
Christmas Day in the quiet aftermath of a severe thunder-
storm. In a cleft in a large stump, right in the township,
we noticed a nest, and, with the best of intentions, threw a
small stone safely wide of the mark for the purpose of prov-
ing whether or not the dilapidated-looking home was
occupied. We were surprised beyond measure by the
angry tones of a resident opposite, who enquired whether
we had any sense or not, trying to destroy a bird's nest. We
assured him of several things in retaliation, and went on.
The resident had proved for us, however, that the nest was
a good one, and we watched it surreptitiously. When the
young birds, which we soon discovered resided within, left
the nest we captured them and conveyed them beyond the

132

]5io\vii Flyeatclier si'ttling on ejif^s.

133

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

reach of prying eyes. The picture mentioned is one of
the results of this exploit. It is not the only one, either,
as first of all a clumsy cow, and, later, a dog, became en-
tangled in our cotton, and made pictures of a bare stone.
With the male bird we were able to take any number of
liberties: we could have photographed it feeding the young
birds on our hands. The female, however, quite unlike
most of her sex, thought more of her own safety than that
of the young ones, and kept in the background. The photo-
graph again illustrates the defectiveness of photography
where colours are concerned. The photographic plate has
failed to convey any idea that the breast of the bird is a
beautiful flame red.

By the time we had satisfied our desire for pictures we
had succeeded in forgiving our persecutor of a few days
before, and had decided, as he was apparently a kindred
spirit so far as bird protection was concerned, to beard him
in his den. We found him friendly — much more so than
our first experience indicated. Our visit resulted in an
hour's yarn with a fine Nature-lover. Of the other species
of Robin, the Black and White, we have had little experience.

The females of the species of Robins described bear
considerable resemblance to both male and female Brown
Flycatcher, a small grey bird variously known as Stump
Bird, Jacky Winter, and Peter Peter. The first of these
popular names has its origin in a habit the species has of
using a stump or a fence post as a look-out for unfortunate
passing insects. When one of these of tempting proportions
enters into the field of vision of the Flycatcher, he leaves
his post, never fails to capture the wanderer, and then
either returns to the post from whence he came or chooses
another near by. When he is at rest on a stump or post the
tail swings from side to side almost continuously — much as
the tail of a domestic cat swings with annoyance.

The Brown Flycatcher is a quiet bird, capable neverthe-
less of a rather pleasant little song. Its nest is a very
dainty structure, built of bark, and covered with cobwebs.
Its sides are raised only sufficiently to prevent the eggs from
rolling out. The shallow nature of the nest probably
accounts for the fact that the bird invariably chooses a
fairly large and stable branch as the foundation for. its
home. The picture appearing on page 133 will give a fair

134

NUMEROUS SMALL SUBJECTS

idea of the appearance of the nest and of the manner in
which it is frequently fitted into a horizontal fork.

Quite usually the nest of the species is placed at a con-
siderable height, rather inconveniently for the photo-
grapher. A couple of years ago we were fortunate, how-
ever, in locating a nest, close to the house at Ferntree
Gully, in which this rule was not observed. Both the
pictures reproduced were obtained at this home, which was
built on a dead branch about ten feet from the ground.
The birds, after a little indecision, became fairly trustful,
and our only difficulty was the result of a stubborn desire
they showed to face the camera directly. The photographs
we obtained on this occasion are, we think, amongst the
best in our collections. The correctness of the focus enables
one to pick out the details of plumage in a way usually
impossible when observing the bird in real life. It may be
easily understood, on examining the pictures reproduced,
that the Brown Flycatcher's nest is not easy to locate with-
out the help of the birds' convicting movements. Even
when a bird is sitting on the nest, its grey plumage har-
monises well with the colour of the branch on which the nest
rests.

The little Warbling Grass Parrot is well known, though
by a much shorter and more romantic name. Many cage
bird enthusiasts have kept the Love Bird in cages, or, we
trust, in avaiaries. As a rule, the Love Bird does not
usually penetrate so far south as the area over which we
have wandered. But when a dry season depletes the food
supply further north, large flocks have been seen in the open
timber around Greensborough. Their diminutive size,
dainty green plumage, and affectionate habits one to the
other, make them great favourites, whether in the field or
in a cage.

There are a few birds within easy reach of Melbourne
which have eluded us so far, but which are down on our
list for conquest sooner or later. One of the first is the
Emu Wren (a very small species indeed, which lives in the
swampy grass country such as that about Koo-wee-rup.) It
is a remarkable bird, notable because of its small size and
for the beauty of its filmy, upright tail feathers. About its
habits we know nothing, as we have never yet seen the
bird.

The Tit tribe is a widely distributed one, and two species

135

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

have already been mentioned in the chapter dealing with
suburban birds. These two species, and two additional
ones, are well-known to us, but there are others about
which we have had no experience. The Buff-tailed Tit is
a near relative of, and much resembles, the Tom-tit pre-
viously described. Some points of difference have already
been mentioned, and a few additional ones will become
apparent when the nests of the two species are compared.
The nest of the Buff-tailed Tit may be found in a variety of
positions, but is not as a rule suspended as is that of the
Tom-tit. The space between the loose bark and a tree
trunk is quite a favourite position, as is also some tangle
of undergrowth near the ground. This nest, moreover,
is without the upper shelter which is invariably associated
with the nesting chamber of the Tom-tit.

It was when we discovered the nest of one of these
birds in the side of an old stump on our favourite hillside at
Ferntree Gully and essayed to picture its owners, that we
first discovered it was a separate species. The bird
in question was a particularly trustful one, and we were
able to approach the stump quite closely before it would
leave. We then noticed something unusual in the marking
of the forehead and throat. Dr. Leach's book was con-
sulted, with the result that we at once became anxious to
procure photographs. This we did a fortnight later, not-
withstanding the fact that the trustfulness shown on the
previous occasion was very far from maintained when the
camera appeared. After a whole day's work we had our
subjects quite accustomed to our presence, and to that of
our camera and tripod. Eventually, by holding one of the
young birds in our hands, we were able to coax the parents
into positions which, to the uninitiated, suggest something
in the nature of witchcraft. Many people have doubted
our word, we know, when we have mentioned cases in which
an adult bird hopped on to our ears, or fed their young
in our hands. In a couple of cases we are in a position
to prove the fact to the reader, and this is one of such cases.
Of course the reader has to accept our assurance that such
photographs are genuine ones. In any case, we doubt
whether such a degree of deception would be possible did
we have any inclination to attempt it.

The following year we discovered a nest not far from
the same spot, and probably the property of the same pair

136

Buff-tailed Tit.

137

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

of birds. This nest was built at the base of a briar bush in
a dry water-course. We obtained a few pictures here also,
rather better ones, perhaps, than those of the previous year.

Curiously enough, while the Buff-tailed Tit somewhat
resembles the Tom-tit, so does the other species of which
we have had experience, resemble in some respects the
Brown Tit already described. The Striated Tit, however,
is a much smaller bird than the Tom-tit and the Buff -tailed
species, smaller in fact than the Brown Tit. There are at
least two other ways in which the Striated Tit may be dis-
tinguished from the Brown. Both have the breast
streaked, but the Striated species has the crown of the head
streaked also. The tail coverts of the Striated species,
moreover, are of an olive brown colour, while those of the
Brown Tit are a rufous brown. The Striated is partial
to the higher branches of the saplings and gum trees, while
the Brown prefers the lower growths.

The nest of the Striated Tit is a beautiful thing, being
closely built of stringy bark, and lined with feathers or
other soft material. The illustration on page 49 pictures
it accurately. It is built in the swaying branches of a
sapling, usually at a considerable height.

The photographs of this species were taken within a few
feet of the nest of the Buff -tailed just mentioned, and a few
weeks later than the other set. We were unable to do any
photography until the young had left the nest, when we
promptly captured them and placed them for safe-keeping
in one of the camera bags. The parents were ideal sub-
jects from the beginning, and we were soon able to expose
several plates. Our only trouble was caused by an ex-
ceedingly high wind, not at all a novelty amongst the woes
of the photographer. The following year we obtained a
few more pictures at a nest conveniently placed in a position
lower than usual.

We are rather proud of a representative collection of
photographs of the Tit family and their homes.

138

CHAPTER IX.

Mistletoe Bird, Wood Swallow.

THE species which are recorded in this chapter bear
no relation one to the other, except the affinity
which arises from the fact that they share the
honour of being our most thoroughly observed sub-
jects. Any observation which is calculated to be in any
way novel or scientific is more likely to be found in this
portion of the book than elsewhere. Our pictorial records
of these species, too, are regarded as exceptional, although,
of necessity, but a few of the photographs can be placed
before the reader in a volume such as this.

In October, 1914, we had our first opportunity of obser-
ving the habits of the beautiful Mistletoe Bird, a species
not uncommon, but to the casual observer almost unknown.
The extreme smallness of the bird and the height and speed
of its flight is one of the reasons that it is so little known.
The slenderness of our knowledge regarding it left us at a
disadvantage in our search for a nest.

The appearance of the bird we knew by study of illus-
trations, and by fleeting distant glimpses of the subject
itself. We knew just sufficiently of the height and the
speed of its flight to realise that the task of tracing a nest
by the movements of its owners was well-nigh hopeless.

One day, while photographing on our favourite hill at
the Gully, we noticed a male of the species attacking a
Silver-eye with such persistence as to indicate that the
former had a nest somewhere in the vicinity. Such signs
to the observer are unmistakable. Several times the
Silver-eye returned to a native cherry tree, which was well

139

Nesting site of (^laiijic-tipiK-d Paidaloto.

140

MISTLETOE BIRD, WOOD SWALLOW

laden with ripe berries, and each time was driven away by
an angry flash of red and dark blue. We kept a sharp look-
out from where we stood, and presently saw the female
Mistletoe Bird arrive with nesting material. Our excite-
ment may be imagined. Her movements led to a small
sapling but a few yards from the disputed cherry tree.
Here we found the purse-like nest suspended from a hori-
zontal branch about ten feet from the ground. It faced
the north, and was built of sheep's wool and the woolly
substance collected from dead leaves of the blanket-wood
tree. This latter substance grows on the underside of the
leaves of the shrub, but, in our opinion, is not removed
while the leaves are still green. When a leaf dies, how-
ever, the fleshy part withers and curls up, leaving the
woolly substance dry and easily removed. We have seen
the bird removing the material in this state.

Although we remained near the nest a considerable
time, the female did not again appear, and we began to
fear that our presence had caused her to desert. The male
bird appeared to take no part in the nest building, but con-
fined his attention to clearing his domain of feathered in-
truders.

It was not until nearly three weeks later that we were
again able to visit the hill. We were relieved to find that
the nest had survived the severe gales that had been blow-
ing, and that three young birds had been hatched some few
days before. The female made several visits with food,
and invariably flew to a branch a foot or two above the
nest before clinging to the front of it to feed the young.
The food at this time consisted of insects only.

The male was not seen at all on this occasion, and the
wariness of the female made us doubtful of success. A
few days later, nevertheless, we put in an early appearance,
provided with fencing rails (borrowed, of course), and
string with which to form a staging before the nest. This
foundation for the camera was rather on the wobbly side,
but served its purpose fairly well. It was only after three
days that our subject summoned sufficient courage to cling
to the nest while the camera was in position.

On one or two occasions that day the male bird ap-
proached to within a few feet of the nest, but brought no
food. We were satisfied that he took no part in the feeding
duties, and despaired of obtaining his portrait. We did

141

Mistletoe Bird (female) at nest.

142

MISTLETOE BIRD, WOOD SWALLOW

so want a picture of him, too. Not to be easily beaten, we
visited the spot again the following week-end. We found
the young birds well grown, able to call lustily, and to cause
bulging of the soft walls of their home in their
anxiety to be fed. The male bird now exceeded
all our wildest hopes by taking quite an active part in the
nourishment of the impatient young ones, and we were soon
exposing plates in sweet contentment. On this occasion
also the brood was fed exclusively on insects.

Two days later we were again making nuisances of our-
selves before the sun was well over the ridge. We exposed
many plates this morning also, and were surprised to find
that the diet of the young ones had taken a change. Almost
the whole of the food now brought to the nest consisted of
the sticky Lorarithus (or Mistletoe) berries devoid of the
outer case. Many of the trees in the neighbourhood were
badly affected with this parasite. Later on we removed
the young ones from their comfortable quarters and experi-
mented. It was not long before we were able to photo-
graph the female bird feeding her young quite uncon-
cernedly on our hands. Similar photographs of the male
bird could later have been obtained had it not been that
the advent of some dark clouds made camera work no longer
practicable.

The photographs of the male and the female Mistletoe
Bird at the nest will disclose the curious fact that while the
female invariably clung to the front of the nest when feed-
ing the young, the male always performed the same duty
by hanging head down from the branch above. We
attempted by all the ruses possible to alter this habit of the
male, but he remained adamant.

Our observations of the bird on this and some few sub-
sequent occasions, have led us to believe that it is respon-
sible in no slight degree for the spread of the parasitic
mistletoe.

Another interesting question we were able to settle was
the manner in which the sticky berry was extracted from
the casing. This casing was never carried by the bird,
and we wished to know how it was got rid of. The trust-
fulness of our subjects during the later stages of our obser-
vations enabled us to see this clearly. When the young
ones had been removed from the nest and were being fed
by the parents quite close to us, we procured a branch of

143

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

mistletoe well covered with ripe berries, and held it towards
them. The birds soon accepted the invitation, and with-
out any hesitation, made use of this convenience instead of
bringing berries from a little distance. We already were
aware, by the presence of the empty cup-shaped portions
of the seed cases under the mistletoe boughs, that the seed
was extracted without the cases first being removed from
the branch. We now found that the soft case was taken
cross-wise in the bird's bill and split by pressure. The
free portion of the case was then dropped, leaving the white
beriy protruding from the cup-shaped half still attached
to the branch. By pressure of the remaining piece of
the case, the berry was forced out sufficiently to be easily
taken in the beak. We could not persuade the birds to
take any berries that were not properly ripened. If the
branch in our hand held no berries to suit, the food was
brought from a tree in the ordinary way.

One of the young birds was a weakling, not nearly so
robust as the other two. During the time that berries
were to be obtained so near at hand, we were surprised to
find that this unfortunate youngster was overlooked time
after time, and his share of the spoils divided amongst the
other two. We changed his position several times, in the
hope that he would thereby come into his own. But he did
not. When the female parent, however, returned from
one foraging trip, she brought insects in her bill instead of
berries. With these she fed the weakling, and we at once
saw the reason for the apparent favouritism previously.
These parents understood their work well, nothwithstand-
ing our foolish idea to the contrary. In their younger and
weaker days all three young birds had been fed on insects,
and only received a change of diet to mistletoe berries when
they became larger and stronger. The weakling had not yet
been promoted to the more advanced diet.

Some two months later we again visited the spot and
took the remains of the nest for closer examination. We
also examined some of the Lorayithus seeds which had
passed through the young birds and had lodged on the
branch of a sapling. All had firmly adhered to the branch,
and had sent out small shoots. Our observations, as we
have said, lead us to believe that the Mistletoe Bird is a
very important factor in the spread of the mistletoe para-
site. We have watched many other birds from time to

144

Mistletoe Bird (male) about to feed voiinsj.

145

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

time amongst the mistletoe, but have not seen any of them
eat the berries.

On this hillside at Ferntree Gully and elsewhere, we
have since discovered many nests of the Mistletoe Bird, but,
with one exception, they have been out of reach of the
photographer. We have quite often, also, seen the bird
feeding on the berries of the native cherry tree, but we are
convinced that this is done only when mistletoe berries are
not available.

The picture of the male bird produced on page 145,
shows the peculiar attitude assumed when he undertook his
duties as a parent. The female, on the other hand, adopted
a different position, as shown in the picture on page 142. A
picture is also included which shows the female bird in the
act of cleaning the nest. Such photographs are rare. The
remaining picture we are rather proud of, as it proves the
state of trustfulness which may be encouraged, even in a
wary subject, by the exercise of care and patience.

The Mistletoe Bird is hardly more than three and a half
inches in length, but for distinctiveness and beauty of
colouring is unsurpassed by any bird known to us. The
male bird is a picture indeed. Its back, head and wings
are a most beautiful glossy blue-black, with the appearance
of velvet. The throat is a vivid scarlet, and the under tail
coverts are faintly tinged with the same colour. The re-
mainder of the underparts are greyish with a bar of dull
blue-black down the centre from the breast to the tail. The
female is a sober-coloured bird, with a dark grey back
and underparts of greyish white. Their appearance may
be correctly judged from the photographs, but allowance
must be made in viewing that of the male for the fact that,
with an uncorrected photographic plate, the bright scarlet
of the throat is reproduced as black.

The other subject of this chapter is a much more fami-
liar and noticeable species, and there are few persons who
have not seen, even if they have not particularly noticed,
the Summer Bird with its dark slaty grey plumage and its
skimming flight. Its official name is the White-browed
Wood Swallow, and it is one of three allied species which
nest annually in the portion of the Continent over which
our observations extend. One of the three species remains
in the locality all the year round, but the White-browed and
the third species are summer visitors only. Some years

146

Nest and eggs of Wliite-browed Wood Swallow.

147

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

they appear in greater numbers than in others, probably
owing to a shortage of the food supply further north. The
White-browed species is gregarious, that is, its members
always travel and hunt in flocks. At nesting time, even,
the flock does not break up entirely, although the nests are
built far enough apart to ensure each nesting pair a dis-
tinct territory of its own.

It is quite evident that a colony of Summer Birds will
return to the same locality year after year. On this account
we make it an annual practice, no matter what other
urgent business is afoot, to pay at least one visit to a pic-
turesque little spot known to us as the "Wood Swallow
Paddock." It is situated in the Greensborough district,
and not more than twelve miles away from the heart of the
city. Its grassy area is intersected by two small gullies
forming a V, and it is covered with a six-foot growth of
native and introduced bushes — a very quiet and undis-
turbed spot. The white skeletons of ring-barked gum-
trees of other days, dotted at intervals, complete that
sense of solitude which the naturalist holds so dear.

Here, within an area of five or six acres, one is sure to
find, a few weeks before Christmas, upwards of a dozen
families busy with their nestlings. The anxiety we feel
each year as to whether the birds have chosen other pas-
tures is dispelled by the notes of alarm as the paddock is
reached. As previously mentioned, each pair of birds
jealously guards a fixed area surrounding its own nest.
In every case this area contains a dead tree, and from the
bare limbs of this point of vantage attacks are made on
the intruder the moment he crosses the invisible frontier.
The nearer to the nest the greater becomes the fury of the
attack — an unfailing "hot or cold" tell-tale which soon
points out the conspicuous nest. So consistently do the
birds hold to their theory of a look-out and a surrounding
allotment that not one case has been noticed in this parti-
cular colony where a nest is not associated with a dead
tree. Further, each pair of birds minds its own business.
and leaves the intruder wholly to the fury of the next family
as soon as he passes out of their own domain. Should a
Wood Swallow trespass on his neighbour's estate he is
very suddenly and surely reminded that his own part of the
world is safer.

A comparison of the contents of the nests almost in-

148

MISTLETOE BIRD, WOOD SWALLOW

variably shows that the whole flock commences nesting at
the same time. If half-fledged young are found in the first
nest it is quite safe to expect the same all round. On one
or two occasions, one pair, apparently overtaken by mis-
fortune on the first attempt, has been found a week or more
behind the others.

The nest is a shallow structure, usually composed of
twigs, grasses and fine roots or horsehair, and bears unmis-
takable signs of hasty construction. Building operations
take, on an average, three days. The position chosen also
indicates a certain amount of carelessness. Any small
bush, straggling or otherwise, is availed of, and the nest
dumped in an upright fork or on a horizontal branch.
Very often it is easily discernible from a hundred yards off.
The eggs, most often two or three in number, are of a slaty
stone colour, heavily blotched with darker markings. The
photograph reproduced on page 147 gives a fair impression
of the class of shrub selected, the general build of the nest,
and the appearance of the eggs. It will be noticed that one
of the eggs shown is of unusual shape, being much longer
than the other, which was a normal one. This was very
noticeable in the eggs themselves. It was quite a disap-
pointment, on a subsequent visit, to find that apparently the
business part of the egg was normal, as the chicks were
quite alike. Both parents take part in the work of in-
cubation, and in feeding the young. The eggs hatch in
about twelve days, and at the end of another twelve the
nestlings are well covered with streaked light brown
feathers, and are showing a strong inclination to be moving.
They are fed on insects obtained in the air, and on the
ground. The wisdom of the streaked plumage of the young
becomes apparent when one searches for a family either in
dry grass or on a dead tree. A well maintained silence
when they are in danger completes their protection.

Our attachment to these birds must certainly be for
some reason other than their trustfulness. They are
about the most annoying birds, from a photographer's point
of view, with which we have come in contact. Some small
birds, after a short time, have become so trustful as to feed
their young on our hands or on our shoulders. Such trust-
fulness in a Wood Swallow is barely imaginable. From
the time the photographer arrives until he is tired of the
"fun," and moves on to similar treatment at the next nest,

149

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

the irate parents sweep down from their tree and back
again almost unceasingly — a vicious snap of the beak at
the camera or operator, on both the outward and the return
journey. Various tricks of the trade to which most other
birds will succumb are useless. On one occasion the young
from three different nests, labelled to show their correct
addresses, were removed to a point between the nests in
the hope that there would be one brave parent amongst
the six, or that the greater number interested would make
them bolder. The only result was to promote amongst the
parents a serious squabble which put photography out
of the question. The human sentiments regarding com-
rades in distress apparently does not apply to Wood Swal-
lows. The labels were hastily consulted, and the causes
of the trouble returned to their respective homes. This
tendency to fight at the smallest provocation disappears as
soon as the young are safely on the wing. The augmented
flock again soars in harmony, and the feuds of nesting days
are forgotten.

On two occasions only has success attended our photo-
graphic efforts. In the first case, both birds showed up
with the required courage, and actually visited the nest
together. The old magazine camera was in use at the
time, and the picture is not what it might have been. On
the other occasion the apparatus was better, but the male
bird refused to be convinced of the harmlessness of our
plant. The female, after a couple of hours of indecision,
gave us unlimited opportunities.

Notwithstanding a bad record from a photographic
point of view, the Wood Swallow cannot do otherwise than
command the admiration of every Nature lover. The easy
soaring flight and the characteristic circular movement
of the tail when the bird is at rest add to the charm of the
graceful form and the slaty grey plumage. A proudly
defiant parent sitting on its small frail nest, or a family of
five on a dry branch — three small stumps of tail doing their
best to imitate the mature swing of the other two — makes
a picture sufficient to compensate for many camera failures.
Nor would it be correct to think that the habits of the
bird always savour of ferocity. In the course of a day's
photography there is often a vexatious delay of half-an-
hour while two erring parents, huddled together on their
favourite branch, express their mutual affection by a multi-

ISO

W'liite-lnowed Wood Swallows feeding vounor.

151

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

tude of looks and gestures. Very pretty, no doubt, but not
always satisfying to the photographer, parched and sun-
baked, who sees the scorching summer day drawing to its
close with little prospect of his deserved reward.

Perhaps a little clearer description of this bird is neces-
sary. The male is fine looking ; in size somewhat re-
sembling the common introduced starling. The wings,
back, and tail are a dark slate colour. The principal
feathers of the wings and tail are tipped with a much
lighter shade. On the neck and head the slate gives place
to a darker colour, which almost approaches black. Over
each eye appears a conspicuously white eye-brow, from
which the name of the bird is derived. The breast and
underparts are of a rich bright colour difficult to describe.
Something between maroon and cinnamon-brown occurs to
us as being fairly accurate. The colouring of the female
is on a similar plan, though much more subdued.

One of the other species of Wood Swallow, the Sordid,
is perhaps better known than the White-browed, as it
remains in the south throughout the year. It is darker
than the previous species, has no white eyebrow, and no
bright colouring beneath. Its distinctive marking con-
sists of a couple of white feathers which edge each wing.
We have tried to photograph this species many times, and
twice have obtained something approaching its likeness.
As these results were not a great success, however, they are
classed amongst the "second rates" and never appear in
public.

The third species very often accompanies the White-
browed during its summer visitation. No doubt further
north it is quite a common bird. This species is called the
Masked, on account of the effect given to its appearance by
a head and throat quite black. The remainder of the plum-
age is a light slate colour, more pleasing than that of the
White-browed. One drought year there were numbers of
this species building in the Meredith district. The possi-
bilities of photography were unknown to us at that time,
however, and our only acquaintance with the species was
that obtained while robbing a few of its nests. This was
in our very young days.

The nests, the eggs, and the habits of these three species
resemble each other considerably.

152

PART IV.

Birds of
Stream-Side and Tea-Tree Scrubs

Vellow-faced Iloneveater at nest.

15-1

CHAPTER X.

Yellow Robin, Honeyeaters, and Others.

THE reader may remember the advice we tendered to
beginners in the art of photography as to the
localities best suited to bird observation. In case
he does not, we will repeat our conviction that the
class of country dealt with in this part constitutes the best
field for bird observers and bird photographers. Our rea-
sons for this view we will also reiterate. A great majority
of the small and easily accessible birds, in this part of
Australia at any rate, make their homes in the vicinity of
permanent water of some kind. A small creek is most
often the central feature of such a locality. The com-
paratively small number of species which are actually
mentioned in this part, must not be regarded as
an indication contrary to the view we have stated.
The majority of the birds to which this portion of
the book has been reserved are those which are essen-
tially and almost solely creek dwellers. Due allowance has
also to be made for the fact that a considerable number of
such birds have been already mentioned as Suburban Birds,
and otherwise could have been just as correctly included
here. Several of the species also which are dealt with
under the heading of "Gumtree and Plain" frequently ex-
hibit a partiality for that portion of such country which
borders on permanent water.

The observer who traverses any considerable portion of
creek-side scrub without meeting the Yellow-breasted
Shrike Robin, is unfortunate indeed. It is perhaps the
commonest bird in such a locality, and in addition

155

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

its coloring makes it, as a rule, a conspicuous object.
It can make itself inconspicuous also, however, as
is known by the Nature lover who has been mysti-
fied by the appearance of some apparent growth on
the bark of a tree. On investigation, the growth takes
wing, and in doing so discloses a lemon yellow breast which
at once establishes the identity of its owner. This habit
of clinging, thoughtful and motionless, to the side of a tree,
its bright breast turned to the bark and invisible, is univer-
sal amongst Yellow Robins. It is only natural that such a
common and well known bird should be well provided with
popular names. Amongst the most usual are "Yellow Bob"
and "Bush Canary."

Our experience of the Yellow Bob is extensive, and we
would not like to think that it is by any means ended yet.
Even should we not think it necessary to add to our already
bulky series of photographs, we will always deem it a plea-
sant occupation to rest awhile near one of their dainty homes
and win their confidence as we have done in other days. The
Yellow Bob is essentially a beginner's subject, and is perhaps
the most photographed bird of the bush. Every bird
photographer possesses its portrait. The reason is two-
fold. When nesting, the bird is very trustful and its home
is usually placed in a position quite accessible without the
help of any tackle or appliances.

We regret that in a book, small as this one is, it is not
possible to reproduce more than one or two of our many
studies of this bird. Furthermore, it has been rather
difl^cult to decide which shall be included, and which shall
be left out, as we are rather proud of a considerable number
of them. The picture on page 157 shows a Yellow Robin
perched on a stone. As this is rather an unusual position,
it is as well that we should explain how the bird got there.
This bird and its mate were busy feeding two young ones
amongst the saplings on our old favourite hill at Ferntree
Gully, when we arrived on the scene and disturbed them.
It was a boiling hot day, and we were glad of an excuse to
rest awhile. We captured the young birds and imprisoned
them as usual in one of the camera cases, whereat the
parents were much concerned. As young Yellow Bobs are
very sleepy and silent at all times, and in the darkness
especially, we had some trouble in making the parents
understand that the chicks still existed. When we were con-

1 56

Yellow-breasted Robin.

157

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

vinced that one or two feeble squeaks had had the desired
effect, the camera was sighted on the point of a stone near
by, and the prison with its contents moved to within a foot
or two of it. It was not long before the adults braved the
stare of the lens in their anxiety to be near their offspring,
but we had reckoned without one circumstance. We could
not understand the conduct of the parents at all. Usually
slow-moving subjects they, on this occasion, treated our
stone much in the same manner that the cat is generally
supposed to treat hot bricks. On touching the stone with
our hands we jumped also, and understood. If it was not
a hot brick, it was something very like it. We sheltered it
for a time, poured water upon it, and then tried again. We
were soon successful. This picture gives a good idea of
the thoughtful attitude which the observer knows to be
characteristic of the Yellow Robin.

The photograph on page 57 shows the bird on its nest,
and is useful in two other respects as well. First of all it
shows a very perfect and well-adorned nest of which we will
say something later, and, secondly, it demonstrates the
characteristic trustfulness of the species. It is easy to tell
the reader that a certain bird is trustful. In all probability
unless he is already a keen observer the term will convey
little. It is our hope that this and a few other pictures
throughout the book will explain clearly the meaning which
may be placed upon the term.

This particular Yellow Bob and her mate built their
nest, as is not unusual, only about four feet from the ground,
in a small and half dead shrub of some sort. The nest
contained eggs, and the day was another scorcher. The
moment we arrived at the nest we missed an opportunity
for which we had long waited. Before we could adjust the
focussing screw and insert a plate, the male bird arrived
and fed his mate as she sat on the nest. We waited long
for another opportunity, but it came not again. This is
a very pretty habit of the Yellow Bob, and so far as our
knowledge goes, Mr. A. H. Chisholm, of Queensland, and
previously of Maryborough, Victoria, is the only photo-
grapher who has succeeded in picturing it. He is to be
congratulated. We used many plates at this nest, and all
were successful. We also waited long, however, for a
chance of picturing the bird on the side of the nest looking
at the eggs. We were able to picture this position without

158

YELLOW ROBIN, HONEYEATERS AND OTHERS

trouble at different parts of the circumference of the home,
but not at just the point we wanted. We tried all ways,
and eventually succeeded. The negative was a good one,
and we were pleased. While the plates were drying one
came to grief. We will leave the reader to guess which one
it was.

The Yellow Robin is a more handsome bird to look at
than the photographs indicate. The blending of the dark
brown back with the lemon yellow breast is lost to photo-
graphy. Some day we hope colour photography will be
made perfect. The nest is an example of architecture hard
to surpass in the bush. Built of bark and grasses, it is
carefully finished, and has hung round the outside strips of
bark in a manner clearly shown in the picture on page 57.
There seems to be a great deal of speculation amongst
observers as to whether these strips are an indication of a
sense of the beautiful in the bird mind, or simply the out-
come of the instinct of self-protection. We incline to the
latter view.

The nesting period of the Yellow Bob is an extended one.
Nests may often be found as early as the end of August, and
as late as the middle of January. Probably more than one
brood is reared in the season, but of this we are not sure.
The eggs, in keeping with everything else in the Yellow
Robin's life, are pretty. Their ground colour is apple
green, while blotches and markings of lilac and brown
appear over the whole surface. Perhaps the blotches are
closest about the larger end.

Australia is particularly rich in the family of birds
known as Honeyeaters. Without any undue splitting of
species, probably eighty or more have been listed. As a
general rule, they are streamside birds, and will be dealt
with in this chapter. Two, however, the Noisy Miner and
the Wattle Bird, show a preference for the open country
and for larger timber. These species have already been
described in the preceding part.

Many of the Honeyeaters familiar to us have so far
eluded us photographically. The Yellow-faced species is
the one best known, and the neighbourhood of its dainty nest
has been the scene of many patient hours, and subsequent
failures. In fact, Honeyeaters are never regarded by us
as promising subjects. We quite expect that some ob-
servers will not agree with this view, but it must be borne

159

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

in mind that the distance separating the bird from the awe-
inspiring eye of our camera is small indeed. If it were
greater, we know positively that our difficulties would be
lessened in proportion. However, we would much rather
obtain a few pictures from a distance of eighteen inches
than a greater number from a distance of thirty.

But to return to the subject : The Yellow-faced Honey-
eater, whose picture appears on page 154, has the honour of
being our first successfully portrayed subject. It was
operated upon with the old camera, and for that reason, per-
haps, the picture is hardly up to the standard at which we
usually aim. The nest, which is hidden to a great extent
in the photograph, was suspended from a forked horizontal
tea-tree branch overhanging Deadman's Creek (a cheerful
name) at Meredith, It contained two eggs, and the owner
thereof was quite unusually tame. Our excitement during
these first exploits was intense. The approach of a thun-
derstorm caused some anxiety as to the necessary supply of
sunshine, especially as there was only one plate to use.
Great was our feeling of triumph when the image which the
reader now sees on paper appeared on the negative. It was
our first bird photograph, and its familiarity during several
years has never robbed it of a special place in our regard.
The same may be said of our second, and perhaps our most
remarkable photograph, that of two White-browed Wood
Swallows at the nest, which is printed on page 151. After
a short period of indecision, during which the aforesaid
storm advanced ominously, the Honeyeater condescended to
visit its nest. It was difficult to restrain the hand which
held the key to the situation until such time as the bird
occupied a suitable position. We succeeded fairly well,
however, and made good use of our one plate. The sense
of elation which we felt at the two successes mentioned has
been excelled only once. On that occasion Dr. Leach
showed some three or four of our photographs on the screen
at a public lecture. We were proud youths that night.

The nest of the Yellow-faced Honeyeater is a beautiful
structure, as indeed are most nests of the family. This
one was built of green moss and lined with rootlets. It
was so filmy in construction that the eggs could be plainly
seen from beneath. The eggs follow in coloration those of
most other Honeyeaters. The ground colour is a delicate

160

Spine-bill Honeyeater.

161

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

salmon pink, while reddish brown spots and blotches form a
zone round the large end.

The bird itself is plain. Its brown plumage is relieved
only by a yellow mark, which extends from the gape of the
beak past the eye.

The New Holland or White-bearded Honeyeater is a
showy and sprightly bird whose ornate appearance rather
astonished our ignorance when we captured a young one
not far from the situation of the home last mentioned, and
a couple of years later. The nature of our apparatus had
taken a turn for the better in the meantime, but the disposi-
tion of the subject did not bear comparison with the trust-
fulness of the Yellow-faced. It was, moreover, one of
those uncertain days which bridge the gap between foul
and fair weather. A serious flood had just subsided, and
it was the sun's first day out, weak and tottering after a
week's enforced inaction. How the one young bird which
we eventually captured had escaped destruction in the flood
waters, was a marvel. Certainly it was more fortunate
than the occupants of many a creekside home during those
dark days.

The wild notes and the erratic careering flight of the
parents caused us to expect very little display of trustful-
ness. They were bold and fearless to the extent of attacking
vigorously the innocent camera and the more guilty opera-
tor. Posing on a branch on which the lens shone steadily,
however, was beyond them. It must have been four or
five hours that we lay on the wet ground in hiding behind a
hollow log before one bird suddenly realised its parental
obligations, paused for a moment on the branch and then
away. A few moments later it acted similarly and the
shutter clicked. Two hours longer we waited, but never
another chance had we.

The New Holland is the most conspicuous of the Honey-
eaters known to us. Its general colour is a dark brown,
while the breast and underparts are white, streaked with
black. The wings and tail are brightly marked with
yellow. The eggs resemble those of the previous species.
The usual clutch for this family of birds is two.

The hill at Ferntree Gully of which we have previously
spoken provided us with pictures of a bird whose likeness
we had despaired of obtaining. The Spine-bill Honeyeater
had several times been tried and found wanting. We have

162

Rufous-breasted Whistler (female) at nest.

163

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

found the species to be of that exasperating class which give
promise of great things until such time as you actually
accept their unmistakable invitation and try them. Then
they let you know that you are mistaken, and the disappoint-
ment is the more keen. On two occasions previously we had
found nests which contained young birds, and, acting on
the extreme trustfulness of the parents in our presence, we
had settled down to obtain pictures. On each occasion we
persisted for hours, but the birds persisted longer.

In November, 1915, we were fortunate enough to cap-
ture, after a stiff chase, a couple of young Spine-bills,
which had lately left the nest, but were strong fliers never-
theless. It was almost dark, also, and we could not attempt
photography that day. We took the young ones to the
house, and kept them in an old billy with some dry grass for
comfort, and a gridiron for a cage front. In the morning
early we returned them to their parents' haunts, focussed
the camera on a nearby bracken frond, and waited. While
the parents were excited we exposed a few plates, and it
was as well that we made full use of these opportunities.
The adults soon calmed down, and, though we waited for
a couple of hours, did not again favour our fern with their
attentions. Our advice to any photographer who sets out
to photograph the Spine-bill, or as far as we can see, any
other species of Honeyeater, is to lose no time in making his
preparations, and to let slip no opportunities if they are
given. All the Honeyeaters with which we have had deal-
ings show a decided tendency to tire of posing for the
camera fiend.

The Spine-bill is a beautiful little bird of quite remark-
able appearance. Its long curved bill and bright colours
remind one of the Humming Bird. The back, wings, and
tail are of a dark brown colour, and a patch of lighter yel-
lowish brown sets off a white shirt-front effect. The
bright red eye adds to its attractiveness. The markings
are fairly well portrayed in the picture on page 161.

Other members of the Honeyeater family we have
attempted to picture, and we have in some cases exposed
plates, but with little success. The rapidity of the move-
ments of the Honeyeaters has been the cause of failure in
most instances. A picture of the White-plumed species
is one which was put aside for many years, and was
restored to a place in our collection only while this book

164

YELLOW ROBIN, HONEYEATERS AND OTHERS

was in preparation. It was taken with the old camera and
is reproduced on page 51. The "Greenie," to use the bird's
popular name, is fairly well known even in our parks and
gardens, and about suburban houses. As the name indi-
cates, its general colour is a greenish brown, and its dis-
tinctive marking consists of a few white feathers at the ear.
The White-naped is a smaller bird, with a greenish brown
body, a very dark brown head, and a crescent of white
across the back of the neck. A patch of bare blue skin
above each eye also assists in its identification. It builds
a dainty nest, often high in the smallest branches of a gum
sapling, or in a similar position in the creek-side tea-tree.
We have not so far found it building in a position which
lent itself to photography. Once, long ago, we discovered
a nest from which the sitting bird refused to be disturbed
even when the slender branches were drawn so far from
the perpendicular that the thin frail home stood almost on
edge and the position of the bird was upright. What
the nest contained we know not, and probably could have
ascertained only by using force.

Our experience of the Honeyeater family has recently
been enriched by acquaintance with an uncommon and re-
markable species. For this opportunity we are indebted
to Mr. Chandler, a sincere Nature-lover and an expert
photographer, at whose invitation we visited the home of a
colony of Bell Miners. Like most other Honeyeaters, this
bird is an inhabitant of the streamside scrubs, but unlike
others associates in colonies, and nests are built close to-
gether. The remarkable tinkling notes resemble the ring
of miniature anvils, and are difficult to trace to their
sources. Unfortunately for our ambitions to photograph
this species, some vandal located and robbed every nest.
The general appearance of the bird is an olive green, while
a bright yellow mark appears around each eye.

The Dandenong Creek, at Wheeler's Hill, near Oak-
leigh is, considering its accessibility, a fine ground for ob-
servation. We spent the whole of one day some few years
back in an attempt to photograph the White-eared Honey-
eater which nests there freely. This Honeyeater is a fine-
looking energetic bird, with a bright brown-green plumage
and a black head. There is a large patch of white over
either ear, and this accounts for the name mentioned. The
presence of this patch led us into a serious disappointment

165

Ycllow-bit'iisti'd WliistlcT ( fciiiiilo) oil nest.

166

YELLOW ROBIN, HONEYEATERS AND OTHERS

on this occasion, too, when our knowledge of certain species
was not as extensive as it is now. We were on the track
of the Whip Bird, of which bird it was our first experience.
When we discovered two young birds of greenish plumage,
and having a white patch over each ear, our excitement was
intense. Our experience of the Whip Bird, we felt certain,
was about to commence in earnest. After a long struggle
through dense undergrowth, the young birds were captured,
tethered, and invited to squeak. This they did with
emphasis. Two large Honeyeaters of the species
described then put in an appearance and indulged in
sufficient excited protests to convince us that the tethered
ones were their own especial property.

We recognised the joke against ourselves, and laughed
heartily. However, we considered the Honeyeaters worthy
subjects, and spent the remainder of the day in a futile
attempt to impress their likeness upon a plate.

There is scarcely a creek-side scrub known to us which
is not the home of one or more of the Whistler family.
There are two common species to be found in this portion of
Australia, and for a long time they laboured under the
official title of Thickhead. This name was not intended
as an indication of any lack of intelligence on the part of
the birds, but such an ill-chosen designation undoubtedly
conveyed that idea. Fortunately, that is all now changed,
and the Yellow-breasted and Rufous-breasted Whistler
bear names which are appropriate and well-merited. There
are few more able songsters in our bush, and their clear
rich whistle is well-known to all lovers of the wild.

Both the Yellow-breasted and the Rufous-breasted are
handsome birds, the males especially. Unfortunately we
have no good pictures of the male of either species, and we
must reply on our powers of description. The male Yellow-
breasted has a striking plumage ; the back, wings, and
head are of a dark slaty grey colour. The whiteness of the
throat is divided from a breast of bright yellow by a narrow
band of black. The female is a soberly coloured bird of
uniform grey colour. Somewhat of its appearance will be
gathered from the picture reproduced.

The male Rufous-breasted is exactly similar to the male
of the Yellow species, except that the bright yellow of the
breast is replaced by a less conspicuous rufous colour. The
female of this species also differs slightly from that of the

167

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

other in that the breast, instead of being uniformly grey, is
streaked with darker markings as the picture on page 163
will indicate.

The portrait of the female Yellow-breasted Whistler was
easily obtained. The nest was built at a height of not more
than three feet from the ground in a patch of bracken. We
have not since found another nest of the species built in
such a lowly position. It contained two eggs, which is the
usual clutch, and the bird was quite evidently anxious for
their safety on account of their progress towards incuba-
tion. Hardly had the camera been placed in position than
she was back on the nest, and remained there while the lens
was adjusted to the correct distance. It is often a simple
matter to determine which of our pictures were obtained
in this satisfactory manner by the higher degree of sharp-
ness attained.

We were able to touch this bird on the nest without dis-
turbing her, but her brightly-coloured consort contented
himself by endeavouring to cheer her with his lively song
at a safe distance. A thoughtful observer is able to dis-
cern the all-pervading wisdom of Nature in these habits of
her creatures. In most cases where there is a considerable
difference in the degrees of brightness of the plumage
between the male and the female, the more soberly coloured
will be found more trustful than the conspicuous one. The
conspicuous bird is taught by instinct that its correct place,
both for its own safety and for that of its home, is well out
of the way. We have, however, on two or three occasions,
and after a very considerable expenditure of time been able
to expose a plate or two close to the male bird. They have
not been great successes.

The picture of the female Rufous-breast was obtained at
Meredith, and cost considerable trouble. This particular
pair of birds were exceptionally wild. The male was not
in sight at any stage of the proceedings, and the female
made her entrance to the scene at the eleventh hour. Before
she consented to do even this, the length of cotton used was
increased by instalments until the operator was at a dis-
tance of nearly fifty yards and well hidden.

At Ferntree Gully some years later we captured two
young birds, but lately out of the nest, and imprisoned them
as usual. In a short time both parents had lost much of
their fear, and allowed themselves to be photographed

168

YELLOW ROBIN, HONEYEATERS AND OTHERS

several times. The negatives of the male bird obtained on
this occasion were just on the wrong side of the border-line
which marks our standard of excellence. Eventually the
female bird fed the young while perched on our hands.

The nests of both species are saucer-shaped, and built
of twigs, grasses, and rootlets. Very often the eggs may
be seen from beneath. The breeding season commences
about October, and continues till the end of the year, or even
later.

Once or twice, in the dense timber, we have run across
a rarer species of Whistler, one little known, and altogether
dissimilar, so far as boldness of colouring is concerned,
to the two species mentioned. This bird is known as
the Oliveaceous Whistler on account of the general olive-
brown appearance of its upper plumage. The throat is
whitish and is streaked, while the underparts are reddish
brown. The note of the Olive Whistler is a clear musical
whistle.

There has been much controversy lately as to the
usefulness or otherwise of the Cormorants. They are cer-
tainly fishers, and as such undoubtedly conflict with the
aims of human fishers. Our one observation of the Little
Black Cormorant, however, found him engaged in the com-
paratively harmless occupation of ''fishing" for frogs. The
popular designation for any species of Cormorant, namely,
the "Shag," is probably better known to most readers.

169

Blafk and White Faiitail on nest.

170

CHAPTER XL

Fantails, Thrushes, Silver-eye.

TWO common Fantails will always be found inhabiting
the creek-banks in open country. The ''Willie
Wagtail," or the Black and White Fantail — to
honour him with his correct title — is the better
known. Its rasping note and alternative sweet little song
enliven many a bush track. It has a jerky, erratic flight,
and the long tail wags the bird at such times as it is not
being used to guide it through the air. As its name implies,
it is one of our pied birds. The head, back, tail and throat
are of a glossy black, while the breast and underparts are
snow white. The Restless Flycatcher is almost the double
of this species, but difi'ers in that the white beneath is con-
tinued the whole length of the bird — right up to the beak.
Its call is a peculiar harsh note, from which it receives the
name of "Scissors Grinder."

The nest of the Willie Wagtail is a pretty bowl of bark
and grass, built on a horizontal branch, and is covered so
closely with cobweb that outwardly little else is visible. The
eggs, usually three in number, are of a dirty white ground
colour, with a well defined ring of darker stone markings
about the larger end. Sometimes this ring slips down, as
it were, and appears around the middle or even at the
small end of the egg.

The appearance of an intruder is always the signal for
a rasping chorus from nesting birds, and the nest is often
more easily discovered in this than in any other way. On
one of our trips years ago, we were accompanied by a little
dog of nondescript breed. His appearance at once raised

171

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

the ire of a pair of Fantails which had their home close to a
spot where we were wont to fish. They scolded him, snapped
their beaks at him, even settled on his back with such evi-
dent ill-humour that the poor little beast could not after-
ward be enticed near the place.

The photograph reproduced was taken between Greens-
borough and Eltham, a little off the main road, in a paddock
very favourably known to us. It was a considerable dis-
tance from water too, by the way, which goes to prove that
to every rule there are exceptions. The three eggs which
the nest contained were well advanced towards incubation,
which fact probably accounted to some extent for the ease
with which we were able to obtain pictures. The Willie
Wagtail, however, we have seldom found to be a difficult
subject. The appearance of the nest is well depicted, but
the bird unfortunately rested too low to show the distinctive
white breast.

The other common Fantail is the White-shafted, a
smaller bird, almost as well known as the Willie Wagtail.
In appearance, however, it differs considerably. The
"Shafty" is plain and grey, with a very little relief in the
shape of white markings to its otherwise sober colouring.
Its flight is even more erratic than that of the Willie Wag-
tail and it is seldom indeed that it flies in anything ap-
proaching a straight line. It is not unable to fly straight,
however, as is proved by the business-like manner in which
it moves to or from its nest.

Our pictures of the White-shafted Fantail are numerous,
and it has been difl?icult to decide which were to be omitted.
The bird represented in the photograph on page 173 had
built its nest quite close to a week-end house at Evelyn,
where we happened to be spending a few days. It possessed
one egg, well incubated ; in fact, when we passed the place
next day a young bird had taken the place of the egg. This
Fantail was exceptionally trustful, and our only difficulties
arose out of the inconvenient position of the nest and the
unwelcome presence of myriads of mosquitoes. The efforts
of the latter left impressions on all available parts of our
persons and annoyed us mightily.

On this occasion, we came very near to breaking a record
of which we are very proud. We were nearly instrumental
in destroying the egg, and have to thank the bird itself that
our reputation is still intact. The nest was built about

172

White-shafted Fautail settling on nest.

173

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

nine feet from the ground, and, for convenience, we bent
the slender branch down to within about seven feet of the
earth. We tethered it there with a cord, and during this
performance the bird sat as quietly as if there were no in-
truders within miles. The strain, however, was too much
for the cord, which snapped and allowed the branch to shoot
violently back to its original position. We expected to see
fragments of the egg on the branches above, but found in-
stead the bird apparently unperturbed looking inquiringly
over the edge of the nest. Her treasure was undamaged,
and we rejoiced.

The nest of the Shafty is a beautiful thing, and a mar-
vel of architecture. Built of materials similar to those
used by the Willie Wagtail, it resembles in size and shape
a wineglass from which the foot or stand has been removed.
The purpose served by the stem or tail, which, by the way,
may be seen in the photograph, is not clear. There is little
doubt that it has its use in one direction or another. By
some it is thought that the continuation of the nest in this
way is calculated to render its discovery more difficult, but
we have a different theory. The nest is usually built on a
slender horizontal branch, and, it appears to us, would pos-
sess little stability were it not for the presence of the stem
which serves to counteract any tendency towards top-
heaviness. We have also noticed that the Fantail invariably
commences its nest by the construction of this portion as a
foundation for the rest. Possibly the building of such
a nest in its usual position would be a difficult matter if
the tail were dispensed with. Our view regarding the
purpose of the stem is supported by the fact that in one
case where we discovered a nest built on a horizontal fork
which provided a foundation for building, and assured
stability, the tail was much less pronounced. This nest is
pictured on page 21.

The White-shafted Fantail usually commences nesting in
October, and the season continues until the end of the year.
The eggs, usually two or three in number, are very small,
rounded, and of a creamy colour, with markings of light
stone, especially about the larger end.

Of the beautiful White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater we
have had considerable experience, but with it a disappoint-
ing lack of success. It is not by any means exclusively a
stream-side bird, but as two of the three nests discovered by

174

Harmonious Shrike-Thrusli with spider.

175

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

us have been built in such a locality, we have decided to in-
clude it here. It is a fine-looking bird, of pleasing build,
and of graceful flight. The sexes vary considerably. The
male is black above and white below ; it also has a con-
spicuously white shoulder, which accounts for its name.
The female is a plain brown bird. The nest is prettily
constructed of grasses, and covered with cobwebs ; it is
usually shallow, and in this respect somewhat resembles the
home of the Brown Flycatcher.

The photographer who discovers a convenient nest of
the species and finds the owners trustful, will, if he takes
our advice, lose no time in picturing them. Exactly the
same exasperating habit common amongst the Honeyeaters
is possessed by this bird. Its ardour cools very quickly.
Each of our experiences of it has ended in this way, not-
withstanding a show of bravery at first which raised our
hopes to a high pitch.

Amongst the most common of our creek-side birds, and
as one of the most pleasing, must be mentioned the Grey, or
Harmonious Shrike-Thrush, appropriately named, be it
said. It is a rousing and sweet songster, whose full rich
note fills the narrow wooded gullies with music, the incom-
parable music of Nature's orchestra, never ending and free,
but sadly unappreciated.

The Thrush is rather a large bird, comparatively,
amongst his creek-side neighbours, yet it lives peaceably.
Unlike many larger birds, it appears to find no pleasure in
the persecution of the smaller creatures of its kind. It is
diflficult to call to mind a very common and well-known bird,
to which its size approximates. Probably the introduced
Blackbird would approach it most nearly. Male and female
are alike, or so nearly so that it matters not to any but the
scientist. Both are slaty grey in general appearance, and
their build is graceful.

In the Meredith district Thrushes are numerous, and
their nests, in our day, were often discovered, and too often
robbed. We hope that may have changed by now. The
species shows a disposition to build year after year in the
same position. Each season one pair of birds, well-known to
us as well as to other youths in the district, built, or rather
reconstructed, their home in a niche of the rocky face of an
old quarry. This pair were favourites, and ran little risk
of being robbed. The position was too dark to admit of

176

FANTAILS, THRUSHES, SILVER-EYE

photographs of the birds being obtained, but on three separ-
ate occasions with a year or more between, we have photo-
graphed the nest. One of the pictures is reproduced on
page 179. In front of the nest itself a piece of discarded
material of a previous year's home may be seen. This pair
of birds always reared two broods in the season. One
nest-full usually appeared in the month of October, and a
later one in December or January.

At Ferntree Gully also we have located a considerable
number of the large bark nests of the species built in the
forks of trees or in the hollows of low stumps, but it was a
considerable time before we discovered one which lent itself
to photography. The bird whose portrait appears on
page 175, however, had its nest in the side of a stump in a
position which suited us admirably. It was only about
four feet from the ground, and the comparative freedom of
the surroundings from obstacles to the ingress of sunlight
made our task simpler. The birds themselves were not
over-confident, and it was only after about two hours' wait,
which must have been irksome to a companion who hap-
pened to be with us, that we were able to expose five or six
plates when the parents perched on a pinnacle of the stump
a few feet from the nest of restless youngsters. They
would not approach closer, and the pictures show what, to
our minds, is a serious defect, though some photographers,
apparently, are not so particular. We dislike exceedingly the
appearance given to a picture obtained by facing the camera
upwards at the subject. However, it could not be avoided
on this occasion, and this is one of the few pictures in our
first-grade collection which shows this particular fault.

The nest of the Thrush, as has already been mentioned,
is built externally of bark. It is lined with grasses and
fine roots. The usual clutch of eggs is three or four, large
and white, sparsely marked with blotches and spots of dark
brown and black.

The Mountain Thrush is altogether dissimilar to the
Harmonious, or Grey, species, both in appearance and in
disposition. In size alone are they somewhat alike. The
Mountain Thrush is a quiet and unobtrusive bird, fond of
the shadows and of leaf-strewn ground. It is fitted, in
fact, for such localities, as its peculiar crescent-marked
plumage harmonises well with dry twisted leaves and twigs
of the mountain or creek-side undergrowth. To just what

177

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

extent the markings mentioned constitute a protection will
be apparent to an observer who, having located a bird upon
the ground, looks away for a moment, and again tries to
detect its form.

This bird obtains its living from the earth, and may be
identified easily by a well-defined habit of running for a
yard or so, pausing awhile and running again until its sharp
eye or its sharp ear detects a movement. Very soon an
incautious worm or grub is being drawn forcibly from its
hiding place by the athletic bird.

Our experience of the Mountain Thrush during nesting
has been slight. Many times we have located the bird in
the Ferntree Gully district, but it is an early builder, and
we always had much else to do in the early part of the
season. At Evelyn we located a nest, the owners of which
we attempted to photograph, but without success. The
species is not at all confined to the mountains, however, and
even as lately as August, 1919, we were shown a nest in the
Oakleigh district. Boys had reached the spot before we
did, and the eggs had disappeared.

The pair of birds which owned the Evelyn nest success-
fully reared three young ones, of which we took possession
as soon as they had grown sufficiently to leave the nest. We
tethered them beside a small stump in an open space, set
the camera up, and waited for about five hours. We then
gave it up and turned homeward sorrowing.

In the larger timber along most of our streams will be
found a small bird which the country youth will at once tell
you is a Wood-pecker. This is an error, certainly, but in our
minds the name serves just as well as any other, so long as
it causes no confusion as to the identity of the species.
When we roam the bush together, there are more "Spotties,"
"Stripeys," and "Chewys" spoken of than there are "Par-
dalotus punctatus" or "Yellow-breasted Shrike Robins."
There are far too many sights to be seen during a day in
the bush to inflict long-drawn names like these upon each
one. However, about the so-called Wood-pecker, which
happens to be the White-throated Tree-creeper. Along the
course of the Plenty River, and its numerous small tribu-
taries at Greensborough, these interesting birds may be
found in numbers. They commence feeding operations
about three or four feet from the ground on the bark
of a fair-sized gum-tree, and work their way up in spiral

178

Nest of Harmonious Shrike-Thrush.

179

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

fashion, prying into every crack and corner meanwhile. On
reaching the branching limbs where these cracks and
corners are less numerous, they betake themselves to
a neighbouring tree, where a similar performance is gone
through.

We have had experience of one accessible nest of the
species, and unfortunately missed what was undoubtedly an
excellent opportunity of adding the picture of the bird to
our collection. That we allowed other engagements to
interfere with our opportunity on this occasion, has been
an everlasting regret to us since. The nest was built at
the bottom of a hollow about six feet from the ground, in a
position well lit and convenient. On our first visit it con-
tained one egg, and the parent was not over-confident. She
visited her home a couple of times, however, and we had
every reason to believe that by the exercise of a little
patience her portrait would have been secured. Three
weeks later the young had flown, much to our disgust.

The species is a soberly coloured one, its general appear-
ance being an olive brown. The throat, however, is almost
white, and the flanks are much streaked. The nest is of
grass, and lined with feathers, and the usual three eggs are
a dirty white, spotted with reddish-brown.

Perhaps one of the prettiest nests of eggs it is possible
to find is that of the common little Silver-eye or White-eye,
a bird with a bad reputation amongst orchardists. It is
certainly very partial to soft fruits of all kinds, but the fact
that it is a destroyer of pests also should be taken into con-
sideration. The primary producer, and many another be-
sides, is too prone to judge some bird or animal simply by
the harm it does, and not by the balance of its good actions
over the bad, or the balance of the bad over the good. Very
probably the orchardist, if his orchard were suddenly rid
of these little birds, would soon find some pest becoming
apparent amongst his trees which would bid fair to rob him
of a considerably greater proportion of his crop than was
previously destroyed by the birds. But the orchardist sees
the Silver-eye eating his fruit, and does not see it destroy-
ing the pests which affect his trees. Hence the bird suffers.
To just what extent the White-eye performs useful service
we are unable to say ; but we feel sure that the service out-
weighs the harm done to the fruit.

We set out to describe the nest of the White-eye, and

180

Young Bronze Cuckoo in nest of Striated Tit.

181

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

have digressed. Built of grasses and mosses, and sus-
pended amongst green bracken fern, the nest is particularly
dainty. The eggs are a beautiful light blue, like a summer
sky, and their presence adds to an already pretty picture.
On two or three occasions we have attempted to photograph
the adult White-eye, but so far without success. We must
admit that they are particularly greedy birds, and they
always appear to be more intent upon satisfying their own
internal wants than upon defending their homes.

As photographers, we are not exceedingly interested in
that family of birds known as Cuckoos. The reason for our
attitude is that, as the Cuckoo builds no nest of its own,
photography of the adult is almost out of the question. How-
ever, these birds enter considerably, if uninvitedly, into the
lives of many of the species we have mentioned, and so are
deserving of reference. A bird which builds no nest of its
own, but which deposits its egg in the home of another
species, and also allows foster-parents to rear its young, is
an anomaly in the world of Nature. Just why the Cuckoo
should be deprived of the privileges of parenthood is diffi-
cult to determine. We have not seen a theory advanced.
The disadvantage is not wholly on the side of the Cuckoo.
The unfortunate bird which returns home one fine day to
discover a strange egg in its nest, is destined to disappoint-
ment, even if at the time it does not realise the fact. That
these foster-parents do regard the Cuckoo as a pest is quite
patent by the commotion which its appearance in their
midst invariably causes. It seems certain that they do
connect the presence of the strange egg with the presence
of their unwelcome neighbour. If the Cuckoo's egg is the
first in the nest, moreover, the nesting birds quite often
display sufficient intelligence to cover it up and thus prevent
its incubation. Usually, however, the Cuckoo nestling
appears along with the sons and daughters of the unfortun-
ate owners of the nest. It quickly asserts an unjust claim
to most of the food supply, and, strengthened as a result of
this greed, ejects one by one the rightful heirs to the family
residence. The adopted chicken is thereafter fed and cared
for as if it had nothing at all to do with the loss of the other
members of the brood.

Very often the young Cuckoo is bigger and stronger
than the foster parents which feed it, and far outgrows the
nest it occupies.

182

FANTAILS, THRUSHES, SILVER-EYE.

There are four species of Cuckoo known to us. Two
are small and very much alike. These are the Bronze
Cuckoo and the Narrow-billed Bronze. The other two are
larger, and are known as the Fantail and the Pallid species.
All have weird whistling calls, and one or two of the species
may be heard calling throughout the night.

On Phillip Island we found Cuckoos fairly numerous,
and a little Striated Tit whose nest hung in the topmost
branch of the beach tea-tree, soon found a young Bronze
Cuckoo the sole occupant thereof. The rightful heirs to
the home we found on the ground beneath very much the
worse for wear — but perhaps it was just as well. When
one saw how completely the Cuckoo filled the cosy interior
of the nest, one realised that any other occupants would
have had little chance of obtaining suflficient air and food to
keep body and soul together.

Anyway we hauled up the camera and fastened it before
the nest. We were anxious to obtain pictures of the little
foster-parents feeding the large youngster, but the Tits
thought differently, and we had eventually to incline to their
view. We, however, operated upon the young bird himself
in several positions. The picture on page 181 will show
how eff"ectively he filled his tiny home.

Days after we heard his monotonous cry of everlasting
hunger, and saw the energetic foster-parents doing their
utmost to satisfy his wants. If they were disappointed
with the result of their labours, they certainly did not show
it. To the human eye they appeared particularly proud of
the chick.

Tits, Wrens, Scrub-Wrens, Honeyeaters, and many
other small birds are common foster-parents of the Cuckoo.

183

Coachwliip Bird.

184

CHAPTER XII.

CoACHWHip Bird.

THE subject of this chapter is one of those rarer and
less-known birds, whose portrait the bird-photo-
grapher prizes greatly. Our few studies of the
species are a source of additional satisfaction from
the fact that they were hard-earned. For several seasons
we tried constantly to obtain a picture, but in vain.

We have been in considerable doubt as to the correct
heading under which to mention the Coachwhip Bird. We
were faced with the fact that our experience of it had been
almost wholly confined to the class of country described
hereafter as Mountain Gullies. In our first draft, in fact,
the Whip Bird was included in that portion of the book.
It was on account of a fear in our minds lest we should
mislead, and perhaps disappoint, the beginner that we
decided to alter our original intention. We have men-
tioned more than once that the deep mountain gullies are
the most diflficult places for the practise of the bird-photo-
grapher's art. The Whip Bird is found there, but not there
alone, so we have decided, in fairness to the beginner who
will naturally experience a desire to picture rarer birds,
that we should point out that there are many localities
which provide nesting places for this remarkable one, with-
out imposing the serious disabilities, from a photographic
point of view, which the mountain gullies certainly do.
Even along the banks of the Dandenong Creek a little
beyond Wheeler's Hill in the Oakleigh district we have
found the bird nesting.

About Ferntree Gully the Coachwhip Bird abounds,

185

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

and it is here that our principal opportunities for
observation have occurred. With the convenience of
the week-end house we were able to devote a con-
siderable time to an attempt to elucidate some of
the mystery which appears to surround the pecu-
liar call of the species. Almost everyone who has
spent any time in those localities, now so popular as holiday
resorts, in the mountainous districts around Ferntree Gully,
Warburton, and Healesville, will have heard the loud note
resembling the crack of a stock-whip, which accounts for
the bird's name. Some will also have noticed that in many
instances two short notes follow directly on the completion
of the whip-crack. Observers are apparently fairly well
agreed that the male bird is responsible for the whip-crack,
but about the origin of the concluding notes there is con-
siderable controversy. We will not weary the reader with
a full account of our investigations of the matter, but will
simply state our conviction that the female bird utters the
two short notes in answer to the call of her mate.

The appearance of the nest of the Whip-Bird is shown in
the picture on page 23. This particular one was built in
bracken fern at a height of not more than two feet from
the ground. Dull weather prevented our doing moi^e than
picturing the nest and eggs.

The photograph of the adult bird was obtained the fol-
lowing season, not more than ten minutes' walk from the
house. The characteristic chuckling note of one of the
birds first drew our attention, and we searched the spot.
The excitement which our presence caused soon satisfied us
that this pair had treasure somewhere near. It was only
after we had retired two or three times, however, to some
little distance that their movements led us to a little thicket
of fallen branches. Here we discovered two fully-fledged
young birds, and captured them promptly.

The young birds were tethered carefully, and the camera
sighted on the point of a small stump in a cleared space. A
few hours' trial of this method convinced us that it was not
workable, and, in fact, left us rather doubtful of success
under any circumstances. As a last resource we moved
the young birds to the inside of a hollow stump amongst the
undergrowth and focussed on a point on the side of the
stump. After another couple of hours, we were successful
to the extent shown in the picture on page 184. We exposed

186

Young Yellow-breasted Whistler.

187

COACHWHIP BIRD

four plates, and this result involved eight hours or more of
hard and trying work.

Some description of the Whip Bird, other than that given
by the picture, is necessary. Jn size, shape, and excitable
disposition, it is not unlike the introduced Blackbird of our
gardens. When disturbed from its home in the thickets it
leaves with similar commotion and much scolding. It is
a dark-coloured bird, too, dark greenish black, harmonising
well with the position usually chosen as its home. The
only relief to the colouring mentioned is a large white mark
at the lower portion of the head and neck, and a white
mottled marking on the breast. The outstanding feature
of the Whip Bird's appearance, however, is a crest which
adorns its head. The photograph shows it clearly. The
picture also gives the impression of a bird full of life and
vigour, and in this respect is a true likeness. We have
seen, besides those taken by ourselves, two or three photo-
graphs of the Whip Bird, and the alert, active appearance
is evident in all.

Two eggs invariably form the clutch. Their ground
colour is of light blue, while a limited number of black spots
and markings appear evenly distributed over their surface.
They are exceedingly pretty.

188

PART V.
Birds of the Mountain Gullies

Dancina- ^lound of the Lyre Bird.

190

CHAPTER XIII.
The Prince of Mocking Birds.

BY reason of certain features, unsatisfactory from a
photographic standpoint, of the class of country re-
presented in the picture reproduced here, and
because of the apparent scarcity of subjects men-
tioned, the reader may form the opinion that the deep
forest and the Mountain Gully are lacking in interest to
the bird-photographer. If our method of setting out this
book has, in any way, fostered such an impression, we
hasten to correct it. It was our intention merely to convey
our conviction that such localities are not altogether suited
to the beginner.

Far from considering such country uninteresting, we
can truthfully say that the localities mentioned here hold
for us a very strong and a very deep attraction, which, once
discovered, has been held in check only as a result of a
desire, natural to all beginners, to add quickly to our col-
lection of pictures. We will admit that such cannot be
accomplished in the dark fern gully. However, it is the
ideal collecting ground for the photographer who wishes to
encounter rare birds and is content to use his camera seldom
and under conditions of difficulty greater than usual.

In the deep quiet and the subdued light of the forest,
there is an air of mystery. Even those commoner birds
which have forsaken their usual habitations on the plain,
and by the creekside for these still, dark haunts seem to
have put aside their accustomed cheerfulness and song.
Their hushed voices sound ghostly. The leafy mould of
centuries, moreover, stifles the footfall of Nature-lovers,

191

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

and, in sympathy with their surroundings, they speak in a
whisper or remain silent.

In such a locality one would expect to meet the marvel-
lous and the uncanny, and it is fitting that here should be
the home of one of the most remarkable of Nature's crea-
tures. The silence, the solitude, the subdued green light,
form a remarkably apt setting for the prince of all mocking
birds, and the jnost strikingly beautiful of Australia's
feathered inhabitants.

It has been the privilege of few people in these days of
advanced civilisation and settlement to see the Lyre Bird
in its natural surroundings. For this reason, amongst
others, we have worked long and steadily in the hope that
we should be able to supplement any description we may
attempt by faithful likeness through the medium of photo-
graphy. So far we have not succeeded, and it is with deep
disappointment that this volume is sent to press without any
illustration to assist our powers of description. Words in
such a case convey little, even were we gifted to use them.
However, if we have been unsuccessful in picturing the
Lyre Bird, we certainly have learned somewhat of its habits
in the attempt.

We remember well our first experience. We were but
very young at the time, and so were unequipped with the
means and the opportunity for carrying out our ambitions
in the study of the ways of Nature. When the week-end
house at Ferntree Gully was built, we saw a gleam of hope,
and decided to work the surrounding hills during the nest-
ing season. It was while filling in time making walking
tours of the country before the commencement of the season
that we met with our quarry.

We had walked from the Gully a distance of seven miles
or so to Olinda, a small township in the heart of the moun-
tains, and had sat down to recuperate before commencing
the return journey, when we became conscious of the hearty
laugh of an old Kookaburra — a laugh in which our practised
ears detected something peculiar. Some subtle variation
in its delivery or in its pitch, or, it may have been, some-
thing unusual in the position from which the sounds eman-
ated. We realised that we had discovered a Lyre Bird.

The reader must remember that at this time we had
read little about any of our native birds. What we had
read about the Lyre Bird had left us with the clear convic-

192

The Haunt of the Lyre Bird.
193

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

tion that if one so much as breathed within a hundred yards
of this shy species, it would detect one's presence and
vanish. Such ideas of the wariness of the species under
notice, and of some others beside, we have found absolutely
without foundation. Anyway, we sat where we were for
a considerable time, almost afraid to move. We very soon
had proof of the extraordinary powers of mimicry pos-
sessed by the Lyre Bird as our particular specimen seemed
determined that our first experience of his kind should not
disappoint us. The screech of the Cockatoo, the call of the
Whistler, the Magpie, the Butcher Bird and the Rosella,
even the bark of a dog, were reproduced to such a degree of
perfection that we were unable to \find fault. These
imitations were interspersed with a shrill short whistling
note which we have found to be the natural call of the bird.
There were also short spaces of silence, the import of which
we knew not at any time.

After we had heard for a little time this wonder of the
bush, our ambitions demanded sight of it also. With
great care, mainly unnecessary, we made our way along a
path to a fallen tree, and from this point of vantage we were
able to discern the famous tail of the male bird as its owner
danced — or rather marched — on a small mound amongst the
bracken. The remainder of the bird and his companion,
if she happened to be present, were hidden from view.
After we had watched the movements of the quivering tail
for five minutes or so, the concert ended. The tail, held
low, became passive, and then followed its owner silently
through the ferns.

We subsequently observed the Lyre Bird at close quar-
ters many times in and around the Ferntree Gully district.
We also witnessed more closely the efforts of a male to
impress a seemingly hard-hearted female with the fervour
of his attentions. In the reserve which includes the well-
known fern gully at Ferntree Gully, at least one pair of
these noble birds have their headquarters — or, rather, they
had until a certain "bird-lover" shot one or both birds "for
scientific purposes." One morning early, while the mist
still hung on the hills, we heard the male bird imitating the
call of the Kookaburra from a direction in which we knew
that a fresh mound lay. This dancing mound was a
rounded eminence in the centre of a straggling patch of
bracken, and we were able to discern the shadowy form of

194

THE PRINCE OF MOCKING BIRDS

the male bird when we had approached within a hundred
yards or so. That last hundred yards we did on hands and
knees, and in other undignified positions, carefully choosing
our opportunities for advancing while the bird was engaged
with his song. We successfully reached a spot within six
feet of him, and just outside the screen of bracken.

The entertainment was continued for half-an-hour with
much prancing, bowing and scraping on the part of the fer-
vent male, and with imitations of perhaps a dozen different
bird calls. Every half minute or so he stopped suddenly,
as if he had detected danger, and listened intently. At first
we feared that our presence had been detected, but we soon
became aware that this pause, a well-defined habit of the
species, is a precautionary measure only. So long as the
observer remains silent and motionless during these inter-
vals, the danger of disturbing the Lyre Bird is as small as
with most other species.

The object of this passionate display, we soon dis-
covered, was within a few yards of the spot, feeding uncon-
cernedly amongst the bracken in what must have been a
disappointingly heartless fashion. As to whether she were
satisfied with his lovemaking she made no sign. Probably
she wished him to believe that she neither noticed nor
understood it. Presently his song ended and he strode
solemnly into the bracken where the pair fed together
awhile. Fortune led them on one occasion across an open
space within four feet of where we lay. Although so close
that the soft earth disturbed in the course of their opera-
tions reached us, they were quite unconscious of our pres-
ence, a fact which directly negatives the popular conception
of their wariness. Eventually they were lost to sight down
the gully. We followed later in the hope of discovering a
nest, but were disappointed.

The Lyre Bird is not difficult to describe. Were it not
for the remarkable tail of the male bird, there would not be
much in its appearance to attract attention. It is a plain
dark brown bird, about the size of the common domestic
fowl. The feet are very large and heavy, and well adapted
to their purpose of disturbing the soft loam and the crea-
tures that reside therein. It is the tail of the male, how-
ever which makes the bird. This consists of two
large brown and white feathers, arranged in such a
way as to form the outline of the lyre of olden times, from

195

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

which the name of the bird is derived. Two strong centre
feathers, and several white filmy ones complete the design.
The tail of the female is long and of the same colour as the
rest of her plumage. Both birds, when moving through
the undergrowth, carry the tail in a line with the body.
The Lyre Bird is not a strong flier. It specialises in silent
down-hill glides, during which the wings are vibrated little.
We have not seen the bird fly uphill, or upward at all, more
than a few feet at a time.

It behoves Australians to see that the law which was
framed to protect these birds against their greatest enemy
— man — is honoured in the spirit and the letter. The
system which allows a collector — even should he be a
genuine scientist — to obtain a permit to destroy a species of
such interest and of such numerical weakness, requires re-
vision— and that promptly.

196

CHAPTER XIV.

Other Rarities.

THE country beloved of the Lyre Bird is also the home
of a species which, though not to the same extent
remarkable, is almost as rare. It is said that the
affinity of the species so far as locality is concerned
is responsible for the name applied to the bird here
described. Early observers who sought the Lyre Bird
regarded the Pilot Bird as being an unfailing guide to the
haunts of the former. Whether there is any truth in this
explanation of the bird's name we know not, but we do
know that in our experience the two species have invariably
been found close together. We believe also that other ob-
servers have noted the same fact.

In the dark gullies around our week-end quarters, these
birds were fairly numerous, but their quiet ways and sober
colouring made it quite a simple matter to overlook them.
For some time probably we did succeed in overlooking them,
until one day we stumbled across them — figuratively, and
literally also. We were spending a few days at the town-
ship of Olinda previously mentioned, and while clambering
down a thickly wooded hillside, one of our party did actually
stumble and disturb a nest, the presence of which would
certainly otherwise have been overlooked. The contents
at once set up a great din, which proved their undoing. We
recognised that the species was a stranger to us. We
waited awhile, and a silent chocolate brown bird arrived on
the scene with a beak full of large moths and the like, which
it proceeded to dispose of in a manner which appeared to
please a very noisy brood. The parent then departed

197

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

down-hill again as silently as it had arrived. The adults
made several subsequent visits while we waited at the spot,
and appeared to take not the slightest notice of our presence.

When we arrived back at the boarding-house, Dr.
Leach's "Australian Bird Book" was consulted, and our
find was identified. The word "very rare," which appeared
opposite the species in the publication referred to, whetted
our appetite for pictures, and next morning's breakfast
of ham and eggs was scantily appreciated. As soon as we
felt able, with due respect to the etiquette required on such
occasions, we left the table and collected our kits which in-
cluded, moreover, a very substantial lunch and a billy of tea.

We found the trustfulness of the parents unaltered dur-
ing the night. If our feet happened to be across the path
they wished to pursue, they hopped on to and over these
rather prominent appendages apparently unconcerned. As
a, matter of fact, we have invariably found the species to be
as trustful of the human being as is the barn-door fowl.
While we ate our lunch the Pilot Birds picked up the
crumbs, especially the buttery bits, with apparent relish.
The young birds were also treated by their parents to this
unusual diet. Sometimes a crumb would fall on a boot, and
our subjects essayed its removal therefrom even while the
foot was swung to and fro. The diflficulties in the way
of successful photography, which were many and serious,
were certainly no fault of the birds. They came and went
just as if such things as human beings and cameras with
large staring eyes never existed. In the depth of the hill-
side scrub, however, the diflficulty of obtaining a sufficiency
of strong light for short exposures was almost insurmount-
able. It was quite useless to attempt to remove the
branches and leaves which stood in the way ; it would have
taken a week's work to do it, and we had but three days.
Now and again, however, a little patch of light admitted
from some rent in the leafy roof above advanced ever so
slowly towards the nest, hung there a while and departed
ever so quickly. The usual diflJiculties of the bird photo-
grapher were in attendance. When the light was ready the
birds were not, and vice versa. By blocking up the entrance
of the nest and persisting in other little unkindnesses, oflf
and on throughout the day, we were able to expose about
twenty plates, and expected some sort of result from ten of
them. All were absolute failures except two, which

198

Pilot Bird at nest.

199

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

escaped that title by a very narrow margin. The result of
another serious dithculty is clearly apparent in the picture.
Beside the nest, and on the side of it which faced the sun-
light, there was a large fallen tree, the trunk of which effec-
tively prevented the camera being placed at a suitable dis-
tance. The exposures were made, therefore, from a point
considerably closer than is usually the case. The dispro-
portionately large image of the bird is the direct result of
making exposures from too short a distance.

Many times since, mainly on account of the knowledge
of their call and habits gained at Olinda, we have located
nests of the Pilot Bird around Ferntree Gully, Belgrave and
Ferny Creek. The same ignorant trustfulness we have
found universal, and the same difficulties of lighting also —
only more pronounced.

Our remarks about the ease with which the species may
be observed applies only when a nest has been located. It
is extremely hard to follow the movements of the quiet
brown bird over the soft brown soil and amongst the dense
undergrowth. When searching for food for their nest-
lings they frequently wander a hundred yards or more from
home, and explore every inch of the ground thoroughly on
the outward journey. This invariably takes a considerable
time, and sorely tries the patience of the photographer.
During this search for food we have always been able to
keep track of the birds by their call. They show little
hesitation in answering even an amateur representation of
their quiet musical note. When they have collected a beak-
full of all manner of creeping and crawling things, however,
the critical moment for the observer is at hand. Quite
suddenly, as if they had just that moment remembered the
existence of a brood of hungry chicks, they take wing and
glide swiftly and silently amongst the undergrowth home-
ward. If the observer then fails to keep them in view, his
work goes for nought, as more than likely the next foraging
trip is in a different direction and out of earshot.

The trustfulness of the Pilot Birds is often amusing in
its simplicity. When they have brought a large beakful
of insects, or a large, wriggling spider, and thrust it in the
direction of three gaping mouths, we have frequently dis-
appointed all by taking it from the adult beak. The expres-
sion of blank astonishment which such treatment caused
was good to see. When the old bird recovered sufficiently,

200

Rufous Fantail on nest.

201

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

she would snatch the dainties back with the indignation of
a petulant child. Sometimes this form of amusement was
continued for a considerable time, until the mauled and
mangled state of the erstwhile spider made further inter-
ference unpleasant. There are few scenes upon which
we look back with greater pleasure than on our experiences
of the Pilot Birds. They suffered by our presence, more-
over, nothing more serious than annoyance.

The appearance of the Pilot Bird will be gathered some-
what from the picture appearing in this book. Its colour
is a warm chocolate brown, well calculated to escape atten-
tion in the darkness of the mountain gully. It works in
and out amongst the small ferns and through patches of
sword grass in very much the same manner as the Scrub
Wren operates in more open country. As a matter of fact
we have been struck by the similarity in many respects
between the two species. The Pilot Bird flies little, but
proceeds over the ground by a series of hops, unmistakable
when once witnessed.

The nest also is not unlike that of the Scrub Wren. That
of the present species is built usually of coarse grass and
lined warmly with feathers and fur. The two eggs are of a
slaty-brown ground colour, with indistinct darker markings
around the broad end.

A much more common bird of the Mountain gully is the
Rufous Fantail, a species much resembling, in size and
habits, the White-shafted Fantail already dealt with. But
while the White-shafted Fantail prefers the streamside
growth in open country, the Rufous species nests almost
invariably within hearing of a mountain stream.

The nests of the two species are very much alike, as a
comparison of the pictures on pages 173 and 201 will show,
but in colour the birds are somewhat dissimilar. The
upper plumage of the Rufous Fantail is warm brown in
general appearance, but the forehead and lower back are
rust red. The throat is white, and the underparts a
neutral grey.

The Rufous Fantail is not nearly as well-known as the
White-shafted, and we were fortunate to locate a nest in a
position whe^e the light was fairly bright. Some idea of
the class of locality selected by the species will be gathered
from the picture appearing on page 59. The nest contained
two eggs, for whose safety the birds were much concerned,

202

OTHER RARITIES

and we had little difficulty in inducing them to face the
camera. But is was quite impossible to make instantaneous
exposures. As a last resource, we used time exposures of
a couple of seconds' duration, and were surprised to find
that the results showed no signs of movement. As an
experiment we gave, in one case, an exposure of ten
seconds, and even this picture was quite clear and sharp.
We must admit that our early remarks about the useless-
ness of time exposures is rather discounted by this ex-
perience, but the stillness of a mountain gully allows of
exposures which would be impossible elsewhere.

The week-end house at Ferntree Gully also afforded us
opportunities for observing two rare and beautiful species
of Robins. A black and white Robin and two red-breasted
Robins have already been mentioned as inhabitants of the
open country. Here we have two species with pink breasts.
One species is called the Pink-breasted and the other the
Rose-breasted ; but we have, more than once, had a little
difficulty in distinguishing them when apart. Once their
acquaintance has been thoroughly made, however, they may
be readily recognised. The breast of the male Rose-
breasted has much more the character of red in its com-
position than has the bright pink of the Pink-breasted male.
The head and back of the Rose-breast, moreover, is of a dark
slate colour, while in the Pink-breast this is replaced by a
dull black. Unfortunately our experience of these interesting
species is limited to observations of the birds, and does not
extend to their nesting habits.

On the outskirts of the popular township of Belgrave,
in the Dandenong Ranges, a pair of the Rose-breasted
species evidently have their headquarters, as we have
noticed them about the same locality three seasons follow-
ing. A close watch of their movements on each occasion
convinced us that they were not nesting. They flew from
post to post before us as we walked, and chased each other
with every indication of a full enjoyment of life. We often
wonder whether the collector's gun has yet ended their joy.

Of the Pink-breasted species we have had more exten-
sive experience, though even that does not amount to much.
Probably we would have succeeded in locating a nest before
now were it not for the fact that, if a photographer would
obtain pictures in the darkness of the Mountain gully, he
must devote considerable time to the subject in hand, and

203

BIRDS OF OUR BUSH

restrain any desire to wander from the track in a search for
other birds. Thus it has happened that two or three times
when engaged on other work, we have seen and heard the
Pink-breasted Robin in the vicinity, but have allowed the
opportunity to pass. Had we been able to visit the locality
again on the following day we might have been successful
in locating a nest.

Even more slender is our first-hand knowledge of two
rare Flycatchers, which we have also observed in the
Ranges. They are birds upon which any Nature photo-
grapher would be pleased to expose numerous plates, even
at their present high price. The Leaden and the Satin Fly-
catcher are both inhabitants of the class of country beloved
of the Lyre Bird and the Pilot Bird, and we have not been
able to determine whether they are really remarkable-
looking birds or whether their association with the silence
of the forest accounts for such an impression in our minds.
The Leaden species we encountered first at Myer's Falls,
near Healesville, where a single specimen was performing
manoeuvres in its search for insects. If he appreciated
mosquitoes, and they were one-tenth as numerous around
his person as they were round ours, he should have made a
very good living.

"Leaden Flycatcher" is a particularly apt term. The
bird's plumage is a dark leaden grey, with a greenish sheen.
The throat and breast are similarly coloured, while the re-
mainder of the underparts is white.

The Satin Flycatcher is very similar to the Leaden,
except that the darker portion of the plumage is a beautiful
shining dark green. Our few observations of the species
have been amongst fairly high timber, though we are not
sure that they show preference for such positions.

The nests of both species are built high, well out of the
way of most photographers.

204

INDEX

Page

Aperture . . . '16

Apparatus . • • 27

Babbler, White-browed 106

Background 43

Bag for Changing Plates 33

Bee-eater . 129

Bell Miner . . . . 165

Bellows, Extension of . . . . . . 30

Bellows, Pinholes in 31

Black and White Fantail .... 171

Black and White Robin 134

Black Cockatoo 109

Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike .... 109

Blue Wren . . . . . . 74

Bottle Swallow . . 124

Bronze Cuckoo 183

Bronze-wing Pigeon 110

Brown Flycatcher . . 109. 134, 17G

Brown Tit 81, 138

Buff-tailed Tit 136

Butcher Bird 103

Camera, Correct Position of . . . 37

Camera, Cost of 18

Camera, Magazine Type 28

Camera, Size of 28

Carriers for Plates . . 31

Caterpillar-eater, White - shoul-
dered . . . . . . . 174

Changing Bag .... 33

Chat, White-fronted 57, 72

Chestnut-eared Finch 127

Chough, White-winged 104

Cloth, Focussing 33

C'oachwhip Bird . 167, 185

Cockatoo, Black . 109

Cockatoo, Gang Gang 109

Cockatoo, Rose-breasted . . . , . . 109

Cockatoo Parrakeet 109

Concealment while Photographing 55

Contrast in Negatives . . . . . . 50

Cormorant, Little Black 169

Corn Bird . . . 1'27

Crimson Parrot 108

Cuckoo, Bronze . . . . . . 70, 108, 183

Cuckoo, Fantail . . . . 70, 108, 183

Cuckoo, Xarrow-billed Bronze . .

70, 108, 183

Cuckoo, Pallid 70, 108, 183

Cuckoo Shrike, Black-faced . . . . 109

Dark Slides ............ 31

Depth of Focus 42

Development of Plates 50

Diamond Bird, Orange-tipped . . . 115

Diamond Bird, Spotted . . . . . . 118

Diamond Sparrow . . . 127

Distance from Subject 30, 38

Dummy for Focussing 42, 43

Electricity, Photography by.. .. 53

Elevation of Camera ........ 40

Emu Wren . . . 135

Exposure 46

Extension of Bellows ...... 30

Page

Fairy Martin '. .. 104,124

Fantail, Black and White . . . . 171

Fantail, Rufous 46, 202

Fantail, White-shafted . . . . 172, 202

Fantail Cuckoo , . . . . 183

Finch, Chestnut-eared 127

Finch, Red-browed 127

Finch, Spotted-sided 127

Flame-breasted Robin 132

Flycatcher, Brown . . . . 109, 134, 176

Flycatcher, Leaden , . 204

Flycatcher, Restless . . 171

Flycatcher, Satin 204

Focussing Cloth . . . 33

Focussing, Method of . . . . . . 27, 42

Focussing Screen 30

Frogmouth, Tawny 110

Galah 109

Gang Gang Cockatoo . . .109

Grass Bird 92

Grass Parrot, Warbling 135

Grass Warbler 127

''Greenie'' . . . . . 165

Grey Shrike Thrush . . . . . . . . 176

Ground Lark 83

Half-p.late .............. 28

Harmonious Shrike Thrusli . . . . 176

Honeyeater, Mew Holland . . . . 162

Honeyeater, Spinebill 164

Honeyeater, White-bearded . . . . 162

Honeyeater, White-eared 165

Honeyeater, White-naped .... 82

Honeyeater, White-plumed . . . . 164

Honeyeater. Yellow-faced . . . . 65, 159

Hooded Robin 134

Ibis, Straw-necked 65, 112

Intensification of Negatives .... 52

Jackass, Laughing 101

.Tacky Winter . . . . . . . . . . 134

Keet, Green 109

Kingfisher, Sacred . . 112

Kookaburra 102, 192

Laughing .Jackass . 55, 102

Leaden Flycatcher . . . . . . . . 204

Lens 30

Light, Strength of . 45

Little Black Cormorant 169

Little Grass Bird . 92

Locating Nests . . . . 36

Lorikeet, Musk 109

Lorv, Red ..... 108

Love Bird 135

Lyre Bird 22, 192

Magpie, Black-backed 101

Magpie, White-backed 101

Magpie Lark . . 104

Masked Wood Swallow 152

Miner, Native or Noisy . . . . 106, 159

205

INDEX

Page

Mistletoe Bird . . . . 139

Mountain Thrush 24, 177

Mud Lark 104

Musk Lorikeet 109

Narrow-billed Bronze Cuekoo . . 183

Native Miner . . . 106

Nearness to Subject 38

Negatives, Contrast in 50

Negatives, Development of ... . 50
Negatives, Improvement of . . 52, 53

Nesting Season 35

Nests, Location of . . . . . . . . 36

New-Kolland Honeyeater 162

Noisy Miner 106, 159

Orange-tipped Diamond Bird or

Pardalote . . . . . . . . . . 106, 115

Olive-backed Oriole . 113

Olivaceous Whistler . 169

Oriole, Olive-backed . . . . . . . . 113

Pallid Cuckoo 183

Pardalote, Orange-tipped . . . 106, 115

Pardalote, Spotted . . . . . . . . 118

Parrot, Crimson . 108

Parrot, Rosella 108

Pectoral Rail 97

Peter Peter 134

Pigeon, Bronzewing . . . . . . . . 110

Pigeon, Wonga Wonga 110

Pilot Bird . . . 197

Pinholes in Camera Bellows ... 31

Pink-breasted Robin .... 203

Pipit 88

Plates, Colour-corrected ...... 46

Plates, Speed of . . . . .... . . 46

Point upon which to Focus .... 43

Position of Camera 37

Protective Coloration 90

Quail, Stubble . 97

Quarter-plate . . . . . 28

Rail, Pectoral 97

Red-browed Pinch 127

Red Lory 108

Reed Warbler ............ 90

Release, Method of . . .... . . 30, 31

Restless Flycatcher 171

Robin, Black and White . . . . 134

Robin, Flame-breasted .... . 132

Robin, Hooded . . . '. '. 134

Robin, Pink-breasted 203

Robin, Rose-breasted 203

Robin, Scarlet-breasted . . . . 46, 131

Robin, (Shrike), Yellow-breasted 155

Rose-breasted Cockatoo 109

Rose-breasted Robin . 203

Rosella Parrot . . .'.' 108

Rubber Tubing 33

Rufous-breasted Whistler . . . . 167

Rufous Fantail . 46, 202

Sacred Kingfisher . . . . . . . . . . 112

Satin Flycatcher .. .. . .' .. .. 204

Scarlet-breasted Robin . . . . 46, 131

Scrub Wren, White-browed .... 81

Sharpness of Image 42

Shrike Robin, Yellow-breasted . . 155
Shrike Thrush, Harmonious, or

Grey . . . . . 176

Shrike Tit, Yellow-breasted . . . . 122

Shutter 30, 45

Shutter, One-speed 31

Page

Shutter, Release of 30

Silver-eve 139, 180

Song Lark 129

Sordid Wood Swallow 152

Southern Stone Plover . . . . . . 110

Speckled Warbler 120

Speed of Shutter 30

Spinebill . 164

Spotted Diamond Bird, or Par-
dalote . . . 118

Spotted-sided Finch 127

Staging for High Xests ...... 40

Stone Plover, Southern 110

"Stopping Down" 48

Straw-necked Ibis . . . . 40, 65, 112

Striated Tit 138, 183

Stubble Quail 97

Stump Bird 143

Summer Bird 146

Swallow, Bottle . . . 124

Swallow, Welcome . . . . . . 104. 123

Tawny Frogmouth . 110

Thrush, Mountain . . . 177

Thr\ish, Harmonious 176

Time Exposures 46

Tit, Brown 81, 138

Tit, Buff-tailed 136

Tit, Striated . . . 138, 183

Tit, Yellow-tailed 67

Tom-tit . . . . . 64. 67

Tree Creeper, White-throated . . 178

Tripod 33

Wagtail . . . . . 171

Warbler, Speckled 120

Warbling Grass Parrot 135

Wattle Bird 106, 159

Wax-bill 127

Welcome Swallow 104, 123

Whip Bird 167, 185

Whistler, Oliveaceous 169

Whistler, Rufous-breasted . . 167

Whistler, Yellow-breasted . . 167

White-backed Magpie 101

White-bearded Honeveater . . . . 16'2

White-browed Babbler 106

White-browed Wood Swallow . .

^ 65, 146. 160

White-browed Scrub W^reh . . . . 81

White-eared Honeyeater . . . . 165

White-eye 139. 180

White fronted Chat . . . . . . 57, 72

White-naped Honeyeater 82

White-plumed Honeveater . . . 52, 164

White-shafted Fantail . . . . 172, 202
White - shouldered Caterpillar •

eater . . . . . 174

W^hite-throated Tree Creeper . . 180

WMiite-winged Chough 104

Willie Wagtail .. .. .. .. 171

Wonga Wonga Pigeon 110

Wood Swallow, Masked 152

Wood Swallow, Sordid 152

Wood Swallow. White-l)r(iwed . .

65, 146. 160

Wren, Blue . . . . 74

Wren, Emu 135

Yellow-breasted Shrike Tit . . . . 122
Yellow-breasted Shrike Robin or

Yellow Bob . 155

Yellow-breasted Whistler . . 167

Yellow-faced Honeveater . . 65, 159

Yellow-tailed Tit ." 67

206

LIST OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Babbler, white-browed /i'oDiatorJtinus siiperciliosus

Bee-eater Merops ornatus

Bell Miner Manorina melanoplirys

Blue Wren Malurus cyanochlaniys

Bottle SAvallow Fetrochelidon ariel

Butcher Bird Cracticiis desirucior

Caterpillar-eater, white-shouldered . . . . Lalage tricolor

Chat, white-fronted Epthianura albifrons

C'hough, white-winged Corcorax melanorhamphus

('oachwhip Bird Psophodes crepitans

Cockatoo, black Calyptorhyyichus funereus

Cockatoo, gang gang Calloeephalum galeatum

Cockatoo, rose-breasted Cacatua roscicapilla

Corn Bird Cisticola exilis

Cuckoo, bronze Ckalcococcyx plafiosus

Cuckoo, fantail Cacomantis rufulus

Cuckoo, narrow-billed Inonze Chalcococcyx basilis

Cuckoo, pallid Culculus inornatus

Cuckoo Shrike, black-faced Graucalus mclanops

Diamond Bird, orange-tipped Pardalotus assimilis

Diamond Bird, spotted Pardalotus pioirtatus

Dollar Bird EHrys1o))ius pacificus

Emu Wren Stipiturus nialach tints

Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel

Fantail, black and wliite Rhipidura tricolor

Fantail, rufous Rhipidura rufifrons

Fantail, white-shafted Khijyidura alhiscapa

Finch, chestnut-eared Taeniopygia castanotis

Finch, spotted-sided Stagonopleura gttttata

Finch, red-browed JEgi7itha temporalis

Flj'catclier, brown Microeca fascinans

Flycatcher, leaden Myiagra rubecula

Flycatcher, restless Seisura inquieta

Flycatcher, satin Myiagra nitida

Frogmouth, tawny Podargtis strigoides

Grass Bird Megalurus graminetts

Grass Warbler Cisticola exilis

Ground Lark Anthus australis

Heron, white-fronted Notophoyx novae-hollandiae

Honeyeater, New Holland Meliornis novae-hollandiae

Honeyeater, spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

Honeyeater, white-eared Ptilotis leucotis

Honeyeater, white-naped Melithreptus articapillus

Honeyeater, white-plumed Ptilotis penicillata

HoTieyeatf r, yellow-faced Ptilotis chrysops

Ibis, straw-necked Carphihis spitiicollis

Kingfisher, great brown Dacelo gigas

Kingfisher, sacred Halcyon sanctus

Kookaburra Dacelo gigas

207

LIST OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Lyre Bird Mcnura rictoriae

Maopie, black-backed (Jiiiniuirhlna fihirni

Magpie, wliite-backed (1 i/DuiorliiiKi hiicunohi

Maypie Lark dniUinii piralu

Miner, noisy Mi/zdullid <i(trnil<t

^Mistletoe Bird DU-ucuin ]iinnuliii(ii-<ii m

Oriole, olive-backed Mimctcs snyiituta

Pardalote, orany-e-tipped I'dnlalotus assiniilis

Pardalote, spotted Pardalotiis punctatiis

Pi<;eon, bronze\vin<f I'haps clalcopfern

Pi<ieon, woiiga wonya Lcucosarcia melanolcuca

Pilot Bird Pycnoptiliis floccosus

Pipit Aiithus australis

Plover, stone Burhinus graUarius

<^)uail, stulible Cuiiiniij' pccluralis

Bail, lewins Eiilabeonns hrochypus

Rail, pectoral Eidaheornis phiUppinensis

Robin, Idack and white Petroica bicolor

Robin, tlanie-breasted Petroica j>hoemcea

Robin, pink-breasted Peirioca rhodlnoyaster

Robin, rose-breasted Petroica rosea

Robin, scarlet-breasted Petroica legyei

Robin (Shrike), yellow-breasted Eop.wUria australis

Rufous Fantail Rlnpiilura riififrons

Sei'iib Wieii, "w hite-browed iSericoniis fro)italis

Shrike Robin, yellow-breasted Eopsaltria australis

Shrike Thrush, harmonious or grey . . . CoUuricincla harmonica

Slirike Tit, yellow-breasted Falcuncidus frontatus

Silver-eye Zosterops coerulescens

Si)eckled Warbler Chthonicola sagittata

Swallow, bottle PetrocheJidon ariel

Swallow , welcome Uirando ueo.rnia

Thiush, harmonious or grey Colliiricinrla hannnuica

Thrush, mountain Tardus luuulata

Tit, brown Acanthiza pusilla

Tit, bulT-tailed Acanthiza reguloides

Tit, striated Acanthiza lineata

Tit, yellow-tailed Acanthiza chrgsorrhoa

Tom-tit Acanthiza chrgsorrhoa

Tree-Creeper, white-throated Climacteris seandc7is

Wattle Bird Acauthoehaera carunculata

Whistler, olivaceous Pacligcepliala olivacca

Whistler, rufous-breasted Pachgcephala rufiventris

\\'histlei". yellow-bi'easted Pachgcephala gutturalis

^^"ood Swallow, masked Artamus personattis

Wood Swallow, sordid Artamiis tenebrosus

Wood Swallow, white-browed Artamus stiperciliosus

Wren, blue Malurus cyanoehlamys

Wren, emu Stipitvrits malachurus

Yellow-breasted Robin Eopsaltria australis

The Specialty Press Pty. Ltd., 174-176 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.

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AMNH LIBRARY

100108233

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