20 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
March, 1923 
but so fat' tliey have not appeared; it may be too early in 
the season. The bus'h canary sings on, the sweet notes 
being heard from all directions'. A pair of double-barred 
flnclies are hopping in a bush near by. Their nest, nearly 
finislied, is well hidden in Hie thickest part of that pine 
tree by the garden fence. A half kerosene tin, nailed to 
another tree, 'is tilled with water, and. well sheltered by 
the waving houglis of the boaigaiuvillca, .serves both for 
drink and hath, and many a bird appreciates tlie tlionght- 
fuhiess of the sedroolboy who nailed it there, and keeps 
up the supply of fresh w'ater. 
'Not far away is the grey butcher bird. He, too, 
thinks there is safety in this beautifal garden, S'o he gives 
a helping hand to protect the flowers. With one eye be 
watclics me, then dovbi he darts, but perchance my near 
pres^ence lias made him nervous. for he hasmissed his prey, 
one of the largest of gra.sshop])ers. Later he may come 
liack for another try. The beautiful little green "pigeon 
is seldom abs'ent — some afterrinims as many as six may be 
counted as they busily peck here and there about the lawn, 
gatliering seteds of weeds and grass, nor do they despise 
the cracked maizie \^dlicIl so mysteriously is sprinkled 
about. Their colours are truly wonderful — tlieir green 
hack^t so much resembling the grass over which they stray. 
Why indeed shonld they not be protected! Indeed it is 
time the catapult he abolished! Should the average boy 
possess one it is only in human nature that he ‘Mets drive^’ 
at a bird rather than at an inanimate object. Only the 
other nig’'ht we were awakened by a seriiumage on the 
roof and the squeals of a rat which presently died 
away in the distance a night-hawk flew off 
witli its jirey. These hird.s are ever on the alert while man 
takes his nigtitly rest, busily lessening the fields oi* gar- 
dens of rats and mice. Flitting near me now is the rest- 
less flycatcher, surely its wee body set on springs, for 
it os never still. His curiosity hi-ings him (piite close, and 
he eyes me knowingly. Quite lately did one very much 
annoy an ardent moth collector, for as he walked care- 
fully. the nel ready to scooj) \\\) the first insect that rose, 
down would come master flycatcher and in many ins’taii'ces 
would (*ar!'y off tbe jn’ize. Evtm sticks did not frighten 
him much, for he would soon he back at his tricks. 
Surely, the birds too arc out to enjoy 1ho spring morn''ng: 
there ^eenis no end to them. The large summer-bird now 
flies from bush to bush. It takes a good many grubs and 
caterpillars to satisfy his hunger, bait he is a shy bird and 
