SEPTEMBER REVELRY 43 



eater or Bush-Chat, but "fluffs" her feathers and 

 hops about, the effect being suggestive of a sick, 

 rather than wounded, bird. 



But that initial dive is undoubtedly the move 

 upon which most reliance is placed. A philosophic 

 Robin was one day returning my interest in her lack 

 of movement when she caught a warning shout 

 from a sentinel Honeyeater. The little head turned 

 quickly to one side for a glance skyward, and, al- 

 most in the same movement, she dived quickly low 

 into the undergrowth. Shortly afterwards a 

 Goshawk came beating steadily over the tree-tops. 

 What pretty fraternity of interest prevails in Bird- 

 land in time of danger! 



For more than one reason, both economic and 

 aesthetic, it is well that the stay-at-home birds, 

 knowing every niche of the woods, have got well on 

 the way with their housekeeping ere the travelled 

 species begin to spy out the land. And not the least 

 important of these reasons is that the roving natu- 

 ralist is enabled thereby to keep pace with most of 

 his appointments. Think, ye bird-lovers, how be- 

 wildering it would be if all the bush-birds nested at 

 one time; and then give seemly thanks for a hap- 

 pier arrangement! 



