on observations from the Fern-tree Gully district (Vic.). 317


the local birds in their natural surroundings. We always make

it our aim to refrain from injuring our subjects in any way, and,

probably for that reason, know very little of sub-species. We are

more bent on obtaining photographs such as that of the Yellow

Robin than on seeking new forms. It appears to us that the bird in

question would far rather be recorded by photography than have the

honour of position as a type specimen.


Our experience has satisfied us that results can be obtained

even with an inexpensive outfit. Some of our first photographs

w T ere obtained with an ordinary box camera of the cheapest variety.

Much time and energy, however, we have always found it necessary

to spend. During the season 1915-16 practically every week-end

from June to January was spent at Fern-tree Gully. For the early

part of this time our attention was confined almost entirely to the

Lyre-Bird (Menura victories ), with which we were, and are, anxious

to try conclusions. Several week-ends of strenuous hunting through

damp gullies failed to disclose a nest. The time was not wasted,

however, as on two or three occasions we were able to observe from

very close quarters. The first occasion was at Belgrave, when we

located a pair feeding a few yards from a tourist track. By carefully

stepping from log to log we approached close enough to obtain a

glimpse of the male as he paraded to and fro on a fallen tree-fern.

For some time he treated us to imitations of various bird-calls,

including those of the Laughing Jackass, Coachwhip-Bird, and many

others. Eventually our presence became known, and the pair began

to work slowly down the gully. A silent chase on hands and knees

brought us more than once to within a few feet of them when they

paused to feed.


A few weeks later we spent the whole of one damp, foggy

morning watching a male bird we had often heard in the Fern-tree

Gully Reserve. We had located a fresh dancing-mound the week

beiore, and made our way carefully to this spot. Unfortunately for

our proposed attempt at photography, the bird was already on the

mound when we arrived. We were fully compensated, however, by

a fine performance lasting about half an hour, and at a distance of

about six feet. We approached by crawling slowly forward while

the bird was occupied with his performance, and lying motionless



