on the nesting-habits of the mistletoe-bird. 173


and ourselves were then able to expose several plates. The male

bird was too wary to be photographed, and at this time we were of

the opinion that it took no part whatever in feeding the young. On

two or three occasions during the day the male came to within a

few feet of the nest, but brought no food. We left the hillside that

evening fairly satisfied with our day’s result, but more than ever

determined to obtain pictures of the male if possible.


A week later we were again at the nest, notwithstanding un¬

favourable weather. The young birds, which had grown considerably,

called lustily in answer to their parents. They were also strong

enough to cause a good deal of trouble by pushing the piece of paper

from the entrance of the nest. On this occasion, much to our

surprise and satisfaction, the male fed the fledgelings as often as

the female did, thus completely upsetting our former conclusions.

The male very quickly became accustomed to the camera, but,

instead of clinging to the front of the nest, persisted in hanging

head downward from the branch above. For some time at a stretch

each bird brought food to the nest on an average once in about four

minutes. There were occasions, when the brood was evidently well

satisfied, on which both birds remained away for as long as a quarter

of an hour. The male bird especially, often choosing a prominent

position in a neighbouring tree, would remain for some time uttering

a short, sweet strain, not unlike that of the White-eye. On this

day, also, the young were fed on insects.


We were naturally very pleased at having been able to photo¬

graph both birds : but, as the conditions had been so unfavourable,

we decided to devote the following Tuesday (a holiday) to further

observation. This proved to be the most interesting and profitable

day of all. Nine o’clock in the morning found the improvised staging

again erected before the nest. The birds by this time seemed to take

these untoward happenings as a matter of course, and we were able

to start operations without delay. The young birds were well

feathered, and it was difficult to prevent them from scrambling out.

They resented the blocking out of daylight and fought so strenuously

as to cause us some misgivings for the safety of the nest, which was

showing a little weakness at the narrow portion through the action

of the weather. Both parents again took part in feeding the young,



