76



Mr. E. S. Sorenson,



were hopping and flattering about, showing even more concern.

The rivals sprang at each other savagely, pecking and clawing,

and beating with their wings ; and now and again they hung on

and rolled on the ground, kicking and tearing at one another, and

thrashing the dead leaves. I watched them for a quarter of an

hour, by which time the tide of battle had a decided swing to one

side. I had heard that Regent Birds would fight till one was killed,

and to save the game little rival from a knock-out I rose from

behind the ledge of hank and moved towards them. As soon as

they saw me one fluttered up into the branches and stood panting,

with drooping and quivering wings, just out of reach, and the other

staggered away and crouched among the undergrowth. These birds

had a bower or playhouse not far away from the scene of the duel.

It was built mainly of sticks, and was decorated exclusively with

small shells. They built a flimsy twig nest in the same branches,

where combats between others of their kind were not infrequent

during the breeding season—November and December.


I witnessed many other bird fights about there, both in scrub

and forest; and “ pugnacious birds ” were sometimes a subject of

discussion amongst us. Of those that occasionally gave a sample of

their pugnacity in this rich region, the Spangled Drongo, the Greenie

or Chikoowee, the Magpie, Dollar Bird, and the Spur-winged Plover

were prominent. The Spangled Drongo was a cheeky and dominating

habitant of the dense timber—a vicious fighter, which attacked even

Crows and Hawks. Its peculiar harsh cry was heard only now and

again in the locality, for it was a bird of wandering habits—with a

range extending throughout the eastern part and the northern coast

of Australia to New Guinea. The Greenie (Chickoowee or White-

plumed Honey-Eater) was common about the place, and a general

favourite. He was one of the tamest of the family, and one of the

plainest, his coat being greyish-brown with a greenish tinge, his vest

yellowish-brown, and his only ornament the white ear plumes that

formed his distinguishing feature. He loved the gardens and the

eucalypts, living on honey and insects. An active and saucy little

chap, he bossed around with an air of general ownership; but his

loud and lively “ Chick-oo-wee ” was one of the cheery calls from the

near trees.



