136 NATURAL HISTOIiY SKETCHES. 



home, the miner was seen in all places and at ail seasons, 

 andj like that bird, was a "household word" with us. 

 Always bustling about, on the broad look-out, let a 

 strange bird but show itself, and a dozen miners, like so 

 many policemen, were round it in an instant to drire it 

 off. If the shooter is creeping quietly through the -wood 

 for a safe shot, it is ten chances to one that a miner spies 

 him, and warns the prey of his approach ; and if by 

 chance a snake or stump-lizard shows a head, a congre- 

 gation of miners will soon gather round it, and spread 

 the news through the whole neighbourhood. They cer- 

 tainly are the most pugnacious birds I ever saw ; and if 

 they can't find any stranger to have a turn-up with, 

 generally manage to get up an Irish row among them- 

 selves. The very snake-like head and well-guarded eye 

 of this bird, and sharp beak, have quite a pugilistic cut. 

 They are never still, here, there, and everywhere, chat- 

 tering, whistling, and chasing each other about from tree 

 to tree. There was, however, something to my fancy 

 very jolly in the habits of this bold bustling bird, and I 

 used to fancy that those which frequented our tent knew 

 me, and welcomed me as an old friend whenever I came 

 home. The miner is about the size of the English black- 

 bird, of a uniform light ashen-gray colour, many of the 

 feathers edged with yellow, sharp beak and claws, bright 

 piercing eye, and a yellow cere between the eye and the 

 beak. They are common in all parts of the bush 

 throughout the year. The note is composed of whistling 

 and chattering, like a flock of starlings at home before 



