4 INTRODUCTION 



The title is a particularly happy one, for it indi- 

 cates the author's fraternal attitude and methods. 

 Many a learned savant shoots birds with a gun and 

 writes about them as a pedant. Mr. Chisholm 

 shoots them with a camera and writes about them 

 as a human being. 



This title reminds me of a certain good mate of 

 mine a grey thrush who came to me regularly 

 each morning for his breakfast. He ate confidently 

 from my hand, and, having eaten, piped a song of 

 thanksgiving. His name was "George." A prowl- 

 ing cat got him in the end. A book upon "Mateship 

 with Cats" would earn my hearty disapproval. 



It is a good thing that Australians, during recent 

 years, have taken a vastly increased interest both in 

 the flora and in the birds of their native land. So 

 far as the birds are concerned, this book will do 

 much to stimulate that interest. Here is a human 

 story, and an entertaining story, written by one 

 who has an accurate knowledge of his subject. 



For these reasons, and for the sake of our mates 

 the birds, it is recommended not alone to bird 

 lovers, but to every Australian who has taken an 

 interest in birds. And how many amongst us have 

 listened to the mellow fluting of the grey thrush at 

 eve, or the wild, free piping of magpies at morn, 

 and have remained unmoved? 



C. J. DENNIS 

 ("The Sentimental Bloke"). 

 Melbourne. 



