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- 



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