10 Chandler. With Camera in North-West Victoria. [isf Ti ■ 



ijf its colour and markings, is also protected effectively. When 

 first observed it lies flat and keeps perfectly still, but when handled 

 it appears to realize that safety Hes in distance, and a fresh place, 

 before it may again squat in safety. By using the observation 

 tent I obtained photographs of the Black-fronted Dottrel. I 

 entered the shelter one day at i p.m. From previous observations 

 I did not expect to see the bird until 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., but fifteen 

 minutes alter my companion had left she settled a few feet from 

 the nest, and with the bobbing movements characteristic of these 

 birds approached nearer. A few seconds' scrutiny appeared to 

 satisfy her that all was right, and she quickly flew away. It was 

 nearly 5 o'clock before she returned and came to the nest by a 

 series of short runs, and settled down on the eggs. In order to 

 obtain photographs in different positions, I wanted the bird to 

 leave the nest. Whistling, shouting, and tapping the ground-glass 

 of the camera had no effect, but when I started to cough she left 

 hurriedly. Half an hour passed before she ventured back, but, 

 once settled on the eggs, noise did not alarm her much. She sat 

 with her back to the wind at first, but the heavy wind which 

 prevailed ruffled her fea^-hers, and she soon altered her position. 

 At the same time she moved the eggs into place with her bill. I 

 photographed the young in this nest when they were a day old, 

 but could not find them again at a later date. The nest was 

 situated several hundred yards from water, but in a normal 

 season the flood-waters would have covered the site. 



Near the homestead was a small area of land called the " Island." 

 In flood-time it is surrounded and partly covered by water, and 

 the remains of several Water-Hens' nests were seen. The vegeta- 

 tion was composed chiefly of branching goosefoot, lignum, and 

 box-gum, and the locality was the haunt of many birds. White- 

 plumed Honey-eaters [Ptilotis penicillata) nested freely in the gums 

 and goosefoot, and the latter and lignum were a favourite nesting- 

 site of the Crested Pigeons and White-browed Babblers. Hollow 

 trees contained nesting-hollows of Red-tipped Pardalotes {Par- 

 dalotus striatus), Red-backed Parrots, Black-tailed Parrots, Tree- 

 Martins {Petrochelidon nigricans), and Brown Tree-creepers. 



The red gum bends of the Murray River were sources of endless 

 delight. Apart from the beauty of the trees, bird-life was 

 abundant, and the interesting evidence of the former presence of 

 native tribes exercised a peculiar fascination over one's mind. 

 Many trees were studded with the old nests of Cormorants, Herons, 

 Darters, and others. When surrounded by flood waters, large 

 colonies of birds must nest in these bends. The nests of Whistling- 

 Eagles, White Cockatoos, and Black-tailed Parrots were often 

 found. On account of the dryness of the season practically no 

 water-birds were nesting, and the 'only nest of this class of bird 

 noted was that of a Black Swan. 



Nets for catching Ducks, made by the former aboriginal 

 dwellers from a kind of grass belonging to the genus Juncus; 

 were suspended between trees at the end of a lagoon, and the 



