THE NESTFUL TREE 109 



in sweet unincumbered soil. Other birds take part in this 

 generous dispersal, but none engage in it so systematically 

 or so openly. 



Beneath the tree which is the head centre of the colony 

 is a carpet of debris several inches thick. Old and dis- 

 carded nests, fragments of unused building materials, the 

 nutmeg with its lacing of coral-red mace, the blue quandong, 

 the remains of various species of figs, hard berries, chillies, 

 degenerated tomatoes, the harsh seed - vessels of the 

 umbrella-tree, samples of every fruit and berry of attractive 

 appearance, however hot and acrid, all go to form a 

 mulching of vegetable matter such as no other tree of 

 forest or jungle gets. Prodigal and profuse as she may be, 

 Nature is the rarest of economists. Out here in the forest 

 is springing up an oasis of jungle, every plant of which 

 owes its origin to the shining calornis. 



It must not be thought that all the notes of these most 

 engaging birds, symbolic of light in plumage and in flight, 

 are shrill and strident. When they feed — and they seem 

 always to be feeding or carrying food — their chatter is 

 perpetual and varied in tone. Occasionally a male bird 

 sets himself to beguile the time with song. Then his 

 flame-red eyes flash with ardour, his head is thrown back, a 

 sparkling ruffle appears on his otherwise satiny smooth neck, 

 and the tune resembles that of a well-taught canary — more 

 fluty but briefer. But the song is only for the ears of 

 those who know how to overcome timidity and shyness. 

 Birds naturally so impetuous are restless and uneasy under 

 observation. One must pose in silence until his presence 

 is forgotten or ignored. Then the delicious melody, the 

 approving comments of the songster's companions, and 

 the efforts of ambitious youngsters to imitate and excel, 

 are all part of a quaint entertainment. 



The Nestful Tree 



All the forest brood do not plot mutual slaughter. Some 

 live in strict amity. Here in the Moreton Bay ash, taken 



