Vol. XXII. 



Camera Craft. 319 



species amongst them. Not long afterwards a ne.st was di.s- 

 covered among the pebbles, and between two dry weed-stems. 

 One could not fail to notice how these weeds were chosen with 

 due regard to the protection of the eggs. h\ colour and form 

 the ch-y stems harmonised with the marking of the eggs, and 

 the shadow thrown by the stems across the nest heightened the 

 effect. 



The cameras were focussed at a distance of twenty-four inches 

 from the eggs, and fifty feet of thread was used to release the 

 shutter. The presence of the camera appeared to cause the female 

 bird little concern from the beginning, but, if either of us showed 

 liis head in order to note the progress of the subject, she departed 

 hastily. 



At this stage the male bird would usually forsake his 

 friends further along the creek, and walking directly behind his 

 mate appeared to drive her back to duty. A few^ large stones 

 placed near the nest served as a screen, and the sitting bird 

 became more confident. But the stones also prevented us from 

 seeing when the subject was in a satisfactory position. So that 

 it was small wonder that the pictures obtained on this day were 

 not good. 



The next day, however, matters had improved considerably, 

 and the bird showed little fear. So the stone screens were 

 dispensed with, and pictures w^ere easily obtained. It was then 

 that a curious habit of the Dotterel became apparent. As she 

 approached the eggs she paused a couple of feet away, then care- 

 fully and deliberately shook her feet, first one and then the 

 ■other." I came to the conclusion that the idea was to dry her 

 feet after walking in the mud and water before she sat upon the 

 «ggs. 



Like the black-fronted species, the Red-kneed Dotterel makes 

 a great pretence of being injured in order to lead the intruder 

 away from the nest. But the acting of this pair was most 

 elaborate. They placed the head almost on the ground and 

 raised the wings and tail until one almost expected the birds 

 to overbalance. This action was probably intended to coun- 

 teract the protective colouring of the plumage and so draw 

 attention more effectively to the apparent injury. — R. T. 

 LiTTLEjoHNS, R.A.O.U., Melbourne, 27/1/23. 



Wood Swallow Notes. — On several occasions T have had 

 good opportunities for observing and photographing the female 

 White-broweci Wood Swallow at close quarters. Until recently, 

 however, I never could induce a male of the species to pose 

 before the camera. The birds are naturally shy and susjiicious, 

 and a really tame pair are difficult to find. 



The bird reproduced w-as one of a pair whose nest T located 

 in the Moorabbin (Vic.) district. The male, much to my satis- 



