THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Mr. A. G. Campbell wrote about the same thing: “ Builds its nest 
invariably in topmost twigs of some gum tree or sapling, and narrows in the 
top edge of the nest so that the sitting bird may have a good purchase in time 
of storm. The Shrike-Tit is the only bird that has the ability to tear open 
the tough stick-protected cases of the Lictor case-moth. This case-moth 
and other of its relations are very plentiful about gum-tree tops. It is chiefly 
in the winter when the case with its hibernating larva is sealed up to a twig, 
and when other food is scarce, that the Shrike-Tit adds this to its menu.” 
Mr. Tom Tregallas also wrote : “Is a very interesting bird and one I 
regard as one of the ‘ twelve best birds ’ to the community. Armed with a 
very powerful beak it breaks open many of the chrysalis containing cocoons 
that are found in the bush and that are not molested by birds of gentler beak. 
It is most pertinacious in its search for food, and may be seen assiduously 
pecking and hammering away at dead or decaying wood in which insects 
may be found, and the noise it creates in so doing may be heard for a consider¬ 
able distance. In the long pendant draperies of shed bark that hang from 
our eucalypts in autumn many varieties of spiders and beetles take refuge, 
but they are not safe from the attacks of this bird with its powerful beak. 
Not only does he eat this variety of food but he partakes largely of fungus 
and other parasitic growths that infest our orchards and gardens, working 
all the year through and destroying an immense amount of insect pests. 
When the young are hatched the parents show a great deal of anxiety at the 
intrusion of any stranger into their domain, and continually cry out ‘ Think 
of it too,’ so it sounds. After the season is over they go back to a peculiar 
whistle when feeding in the tree tops, this whistle alternating with a low chirp 
from the female. They are not numerous anywhere, rarely more than a pair 
or two being found in any particular district. I think they should be 
absolutely protected.” 
Mr. L. G. Chander’s notes read: “ Having located a grub in a notch of 
wood, a bird will attack the spot vigorously and work with untiring energy 
until it has secured its prey. I have watched them hard at work for over 
ten minutes ; if disturbed they soon return and resume operations. Pieces 
of hanging bark are tapped and carefully searched for spiders and other insects. 
They are fond of the Cicada and quickly consume a large specimen bit by bit, 
rejecting the wings and head.” 
Mr. F. E. Howe has written: “ The ‘ knock-at-the-door,’ ‘ knock-at- 
the-door ’ call of this pretty bird is frequently heard in the timber bordering 
the creeks. They are also heard to utter a sweet and high-pitched note. 
Although we have never been fortunate enough to find the nest, we have 
observed the young at Ringwood about November, and at Femtree Gully 
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