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, 
