318 Observations from the Fern-tree Gully district {Vic.).


immediately he paused to listen for signs of possible danger. This

he did frequently, and our progress became slow and tedious.

Eventually we reached a position separated from the mound only by

a thin screen of bracken. Then, although uncomfortably wet and

cramped, we spent one of the most interesting half-hours of observa¬

tion in our experience. Almost perfect imitations of many bird-calls

followed each other in quick succession, that of the Jackass being

most oft repeated and perhaps least perfect—slightly faulty always

towards the finish. After this lengthy performance the bird walked

slowly into the dense bracken at the far side of the mound, and, to

our delight, turned again in our direction, passing unconcernedly

within four feet of where we lay, unconcealed and almost afraid to

breathe. He then disappeared again into the bracken. The move¬

ment of the fern marked his course until he presently reappeared on

a fallen tree about 30 feet distant. Here he proceeded to preen him¬

self and dry his plumage in the morning sunshine, now struggling

through the thick fog. His toilet performed, he glided silently down

the hill and out of sight. We had now little hope of his returning in

a reasonable time, but remained on the off-chance for an hour or two

with the camera carefully concealed and focussed on the mound.

At the end of that time we gave it up, but are still confident that a

picture could, with patience, be obtained in this way.


In a gully at Ferny Creek, a little further afield, we located

a pair of Pink-breasted Robins ( Erythrodryas rhodmog aster), but,

owing to being occupied at the nest of a Pilot-Bird {Pycnoptilus

Jloccosus), we were unable to spend sufficient time to discover the

nest, which was undoubtedly somewhere in the vicinity. In the

same gully, on another occasion, we were photographing under diffi¬

culties at the nest of a Rufous Fantail ( Bhipidura rufifrons), when

the appearance of a male Leaden Flycatcher ( Myiagra plumbea), a

bird new to us, drove all thought of the Fantail out of our minds.

A long search, however, failed to disclose any nest.


In the more open country towards Lower Fern-tree Gully

we have given considerable attention to the Rufous and Yellow

Whistlers, and have succeeded in securing photographs of both

species. We have also, on one occasion, come across the rarer

Olivaceous Whistler, but were not fortunate enough to find a nest.



