^°'|q^7^^'] LiTTi.EjOHxs, Lawrence, Fenz-Zrec Gully Observalioua. 23? 



at a distance of about six feet. We approached by crawling slowly 

 forward while the bird was occupied with his performance, and 

 lying motionless immediately he paused to Hsten for signs of 

 possible danger. This he did frequently, and our progress became 

 slow and tedious. Eventually we reached a position separated 

 from the mound only by a thin screen of bracken. Then, although 

 uncomfortably wet and cramped, we spent one of the most inter- 

 esting half-hours of observation in our experience. Almost 

 perfect imitations of many bird-calls followed each other in quick 

 succession, that of the Jackass being most oft repeated and 

 perhaps least perfect — slightly faulty always towards the finish. 

 After this lengthy performance the bird walked slowly into the 

 dense bracken at the far side of the mound, and to our delight 

 turned again in our direction, passing unconcernedly within 

 four feet of where we lay, unconcealed and almcst afraid to 

 breathe. He then disappeared again into the bracken. l\\v 

 movement of the fern marked his course until he presently re- 

 appeared on a fallen tree about 30 feet distant. Here he pro- 

 ceeded to preen himself and dry his plumage in the morning 

 sunshine, now struggling through the thick fog. His toilet per- 

 formed, he glided silently down the hill and out of sight. We 

 had now little hopa of his returning in a reasonable time, but 

 rcrnained on the off chance for an hour or two with the camera 

 carefully concealed and focussed on the mound. At the end of 

 that time we gave it up, but are still confident that a picture 

 coulei, with patience, be obtained in this way. 



In a gully at Ferny Creek, a little further afield, we located a 

 pair of Pink-breasted Robins {Erythrodryas rhodinogaster), but, 

 owing to being occupied at the nest of a Pilot-Bird {Pycnoptilus 

 floccosiis), we were unable to spend sufficient time to discover the 

 nest, which was undoubtedly seme where in the vicinity. In 

 the same gully, on another occasion, we were photographing under 

 difficulties at the nest of a Rufous Fantail {Rhipidtira rufifrons), 

 when the appearance of a male Leaden Flycatcher [Myiagra 

 plumbca), a bird new to us, drove all thought of the Fantail out 

 of our minds. A long search, however, failed to disclose any 

 nest. 



In the more open country towards Lower Ferntree Gully we 

 have given considerable attention to the Rufous and Yellow 

 Whistlers, and have succeeded in securing photographs of both 

 species. We have also, on one occasion, come across the rarer 

 Olivaceous Whistler, but were not fortunate enough to find a nest. 



However, we are often quite content to spend considerable 

 time with some of the birds which are more common, and there- 

 fore give more opportunities for choosing suitable circumstances 

 for photography. Probably the most frequent victim of cur 

 enthusiasm is the Yellow-breasted Robin (Ecpsaltria australis), 

 and our negatives of this bird number thirty or more. One of our 

 chief aims, when time and circumstances allow, is to demonstrate 

 the remarkable trustfulness exhibited by many of the subjects. 



17 



