A LITTLE NURSERY 61 



it, the second crow flew to a distance of a few yards. 

 The flycatchers again transferred their attention to the 

 first crow, which had maintained its position and was 

 still, I believe, looking about for the nest. Presently 

 the combined attack grew too hot for it, and it flew 

 away. Then the flycatchers re- transferred their atten- 

 tion to the second crow, which eventually moved on. So 

 excited had the fantails become that they continued 

 to scream and swear for some time after the corbies 

 had departed. 



But, after a little, they calmed down and resumed 

 their search for food. The crows annoyed them in 

 this way not once, but many times. A few days later 

 I saw these birds mob another crow. The attack lasted 

 fully five minutes. This time it was well arranged. 

 The flycatchers took up positions on each side of the 

 crow and made alternate dashes at it. The corby had 

 its work cut out in defending itself. I never before 

 saw a crow display so much agility. Eventually it 

 grew tired of twisting its head from side to side and 

 flew off. 



Being much interested in the plucky manner in which 

 the little birds drove off the crows, I thought I would 

 see what they would do to me if I made as if to take 

 their young ones. Accordingly, when both the parents 

 were near by, I moved up to the nest and stretched out 

 my hand towards it, but it was just out of reach. 



The flycatchers made no attempt to attack me. I 

 think they were afraid of so large a creature as a human 

 being. When such birds as bulbuls, babblers, and white- 

 eyes alighted in the tree, in which the nest was situated, 



