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, 



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