180 



ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 



At Caermarthen, Upper Manilla, on 16th February, 1918, I found a nest of Gralliiia picata containing 

 young birds, attached to a lower drooping bough of an apple tree (Angophora) overhanging a creek. 

 After photographing the male bird on the nest, I came closer, and fixed the camera within eight feet 

 of the nest. Box brush was used to conceal the tripod, and a few branchlets suspended from the 

 focussing hood partly masked the camera. These birds being very shy, I retired a few paces until 

 they became accustomed to this strange device, but they did not venture near until three Laughing 

 Jackasses (Dacelo gigas) flew into the tree. These birds were partly domesticated, and would take 

 food readily from one's hand. Probably they were attracted by the alarm call of the Grallinas, and 

 took advantage of my presence, which they apparently appreciated. Presently the Grallinas 

 plucked up sufficient courage to fly to the tree also, each bird keeping one Jackass at bay. thus leaving 

 an opening for the third bird to dart down and secure a chick, which he eventually did without hesitating 





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The Grallina's Nest. 



on the nest. This unexpected performance brought me into action at once, and my impulsive shout 

 only scared the remaining birds from the tree. Knowing these particular Jackasses so well, I stood 

 exposed at the camera, fully expecting them to return and secure the remaining chick, which I could 

 distinctly see silently swaying its head about with its beak agape the while. Dr. Brooke Nicholls 

 arrived on the scene, and I got him to arrange a few leafy twigs about my head and shoulders, and 

 then manoeuvre round the tree to prevent the Grallinas from approaching the nest whiie thejai I ass 

 performed his act unmolested, but in spite of all, the Grallinas held their own, and kept the marauders 

 on the move. Our patience was tested for another resultless hour, and eventually the sound i>l a 

 cow-bell attracted the Jackasses to lunch at the homestead. During their absence I kept to my post 

 until the Grallinas returned to the tree. The male bird flew over the nest witli food, but was too shy 

 to alight and feed the young one. The female, always on the alert to give the alarm, remained on the 

 topmost twig preening her plumes. Alter lunch, my cousin joined me, and we sat together beneath 

 the apple tree and chatted for about twenty minutes, my cousin facing the nest, which was in a direct 

 line and scarcely fifteen feet away. I watched a clump of gums opposite for the return of the Jack- 

 asses, glancing occasionally at the nest and camera to make sure that all went well. This was the 

 only period during the test that my eyes were not permanently kept on the nest. Now, if a Jackass, 



