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Camera Craft Notes. 



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 L.St Ja 



The White-browed Scrub-Wren. — One of the most interesting 

 of small birds is the White -browed Scrub-Wren [Sericornis 

 frontalis). Though building in shadowy, secluded spots — usually 

 among dense brushwood or in a pile of debris — the Scrub-Wrens 

 are so jealous of privacy that they betray their nests by noisy 

 protest if one approaches the vicinity. I have found scores of 

 nests, and only once flushed a bird. In all other instances 

 spluttering volleys of chiding notes were the prelude to discovery. 

 Anger and rebuke are clearly expressed in the Scrub-Wren's vocal 

 outburst when it is disturbed during the breeding season. At 



Female White-browed Scrub-Wren in Nest. 



ROM A PHOTO. BY CHARLES BARRETT. 



other times, without being chided, I have quietly observed these 

 active httle birds prospecting the ground for food. Their 

 notes of peace are rather soft and pleasing ; and the birds them- 

 selves are so " amusive " and graceful in their actions that one 

 does not soon tire of watching them. 



In the coastal tea-tree {Leptospermiini Ic^vigatnm) Scrub-Wrens' 

 nests are placed among fallen branches or in forks, from 3 to 

 12 feet from the ground ; as a rule the site is low — in fact, a nest 

 may be only a foot above the earth. Like many other birds. 

 Sericornis frontalis adapts itself to altered conditions. When the 

 scrub is "cleaned up" to suit picnickers, and heaps of debris 



