16 



IN AUSTRALIAN WILDS 



the Bush near home, walk to the falls, or climb the 

 neighbouring hills. Or we would take the old road 

 over the bridge and explore wilder Bushland to the 

 foot of a mountain. On these excursions we became 



WHITE -SHAFTED FANTAIL ON NEST. 



acquainted with the fauna and flora of the whole dis- 

 trict, and reaped a harvest of sun pictures. 



Down by the creek many birds nested in spring 

 and summer. A friendly sprite was the White- 

 shafted Fantail [Rhipidura albiscapa], whose song 

 resembles soft notes of a violin. An accomplished 



