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 



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