Spring in New South Wales.



81



wool. We also noticed lying close together two huge eagle hawks,

dried and just like the sheep. A brighter scene awaited us in a

little scrub a mile away, where a scarlet-breasted robin swooped

past us again and again, a sure indication that his nest was not

far away. We soon located it, and it was delightful to observe

them in their anxiety. The cock was one of the most exquisitively

coloured birds of this species I have ever seen. The chest a deep

red scarlet, the forehead pure white, glistening like a soldier’s helmet.

They are about twice the size of a red-capped robin and their nest

similar. This reminds me of an incident a good few years hack but

still alive in my memory. Riding leisurely on a hot afternoon

through the hush of the western district of N.S.W., suddenly a

magpie (piping crow), which had its nest just above in the tree

under which I passed, swooped down upon me, the hill and head

penetrating my hat. The pain inflicted upon my head and the horse

shying prevented me from ascertaining how the magpie behaved with

the cumbersome collar round his neck.


Crossing a paddock on our way to the railway siding my boy,

who was a few steps ahead of me, called out to take care, and stepping

swiftly aside he narrowly missed being bitten by a large black snake.

This is always the danger in the bush, many narrow escapes have

we had. This one was about six feet, of the thickness of a man’s

wrist, beautiful shining black, the belly and flanks fiery red, usual

only orange. Perhaps this was its first outing this spring, enjoying a

sun bath until probably trodden upon on its tail. It curled up again

immediately, and watching it lying there with head erect ready for

another spring the thought came to me that this snake was in the

right, I in the wrong, we w 7 ere the aggressors, the snake only defended

itself. It had the same right to live as I have. This country or the

world was not made only for one species of animal or reptile to live

in, and as if deriving my contemplations the snake uncoiled and passed

by us within 2-3 feet; we never moved, she watched us closely. We

watched its trail for a long while till it disappeared below a fallen

tree. My boy would have dearly loved to kill it; personally I coveted

the lovely skin, yet live and let live ! We felt happier as we talked

the matter over, that of the number of living creatures at our mercy

that day we never destroyed or even blighted the life of a single one.



