THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
known the same nest used for three birds in succession — a late brood one year 
and two the following season. Their ‘ sweet pretty creature ’ calls may often 
be heard during moonlight nights.” 
Campbell and Barnard’s note from Cardwell reads : u This ubiquitous 
yet ever -pleasing bird was noted, but was not numerous. We are not prepared 
to say it differed from the Black and White Fantail in other parts.” 
W. G. and R. C. Harvey, in their bird notes from Mackay, Queensland, 
published in 1919, write : “ This happy little fellow was very plentiful here 
before the cyclone, and nested freely on the Sandringham Lagoon, always 
building in close proximity to the Pied Grallina (Magpie Lark). During the 
cyclone we rescued three, but all the rest perished. Our three lived happily 
together until the breeding season commenced, when the less attractive female 
got the order to ‘ go bush,’ and she went, vowing vengeance. The remaining 
pair were soon busy at a nest in the mango-tree just above the verandah, and 
in due course had a neat little cup-shaped nest, containing three eggs. Both 
birds took turns at incubation, and all went well until the eggs were nearly 
hatched. Then something happened. The female was busy with incubation 
duties, the male was out foraging for insects, and while thus engaged he met 
the outcast female, who, after the manner of her sex, commenced a flirtation. 
The male bird became so engrossed in this new departure that he forgot all 
about his brooding mate, and we were beginning to fear that he would entirely 
desert her. The brooding bird, however, proved to be equal to the occasion. 
Leaving the nest, she at once proceeded to the spot from whence came the 
love-song of her erring mate. After thrashing her rival she succeeded in coaxing 
her mate back to the nest ; but the outcast renewed her efforts on several 
occasions, and only the watchfulness and prompt action of the brooding bird 
prevented the male Fantail from committing bigamy.” 
Cleland’s census of the birds of the Pilliga Scrub, New South Wales, 
records: “ Met with almost throughout the journey, fifty being seen altogether, 
giving an estimated minimum population for the scrub of three thousand three 
hundred. It is interesting that the same numbers were seen on the outward 
and inward journeys, suggesting that this method of enumeration is fairly 
accurate.” 
Jackson has recorded : “A few pairs of these happy little birds were 
always about our camp snapping up the small Barcoo flies. I was informed 
that the aborigines destroy these birds when they can, on account of a super- 
stition that they are an evil medium responsible for carrying tales and making 
mischief among the gins.” 
Captain S. A. White writing about birds from the interior of South Australia 
has also reported : “ This familiar bird was met with at all stations and home- 
38 
