Djiti Djiti (Willie Wagtail) In Subiaco...(1933). Part 1.
Today a Willy Wagtail flew onto my balcony doing the delightful little dance that Willy Wagtails do. I have seen these beautiful native birds in the streets of Subiaco, but not on my balcony.
The Willy Wagtail or Djiti Djiti as this bird is known in Noongar language, in the language of the Indigenous peoples of the south west of Western Australia. They have their own traditional stories about these birds. One of those stories was recorded by the early anthropologist Daisy Bates.
This post contains some interesting observations recorded by children in the early years of Subiaco and Perth on Willy Wagtails they had spotted in their urban backyards and shared them on the local children's pages in newspapers including Auntie Nell at the Daily News newspaper and Aunt Kitty at the Sunday Times newspaper. In 1928 a child sent in a short story to the Western Mail newspaper about how they thought the Willy Wagtail got their name.
The photograph was taken of a crow and Willy Wagtail who were in the stands of Subiaco Oval during the Georgian Captain's Run for the Rugby World Cup in Perth, 17 October 2003. The photo was taken by Tony Ashby via Getty Images. No copyright infringement intended.
The articles are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Daily News, 9 October 1915.
MY LETTER BAG
45 Wickham-st., East Perth.
Dear Auntie Nell, - I am glad to be able to have a little good news to tell you about a little wagtail that lives in a tree looking over our place. We wondered why it would not leave off teasing the cats and jumping on their backs and chasing them away, but last Saturday we found its nest. We were just in time to see the mother bird take a worm to the nest and see a lot of little heads pop up to get the worm. Now we watch them every morning.
We have had a try at this week's puzzle, and this is, what we think - Tobacco. Hoping we are rlght.
With best love from my sister Annie, Reggie and myself. I remain, your loving nephew,
GEORGE MILLMAN, Aged 10 years 8 months.
P.S.— A few stamps enclosed.
Dear George,— I was pleased to receive your nice little letter, and was very much interested in your story of the wagtail. You must have been puzzled as to why It teased the cats, but, of course, the reason was plain when you found the nest of baby wagtails.
I hope their little mother will be able to keep them from all harm till they are old enough to look after themselves.
I am glad you and Reggie had such a fine time with your friend at the Zoo. You have again worked the puzzle out correctly. Thanking you very much for the stamps you sent, dear, and with lots of love to Annie, Reggie, and yourself, - Yours lovingly, Auntie Nell.
Sunday Times, 10 September 1933.
KOOKABURRAS AND WAGTAILS
94 Herbert-road, west
Subiaco.
Dear Auntie Kitty,
I suppose you have forgotten me, for have not written to you for such a long time. On Saturday morning, there was a kookaburra on a wireless pole in a neighbour's yard. Suddenly, it flew from there on to a tennis court fence, part of our fence, where another kookaburra joined it. The willy wagtails were teasing them. The kookaburras have beaks and they look funny from the back view. They ruffled their feathers, and gave us a song and flew away.
The Girls' Friendly Society's caravan came to our Church Hall, for the GFS candidates to see it. As there was a children's party being held in the Hall at the same time the whole 120 children inspected lt.
My sister and I have a garden, in which are larkspurs, phlox, cosmos, stocks,violets, mignonette ard a Dutchman's Pipe. We have a few cabbages, broad beans, beetroot, carrots, parsnips and other vegetables.
I am enclosing the competition for the month and hope to win a prize.
Your loving niece,
VIOLET WAKEHAM.
Western Mail, 20 July 1939.
THE Willy Wag Tail is one of the big family of insect eating birds. His real name is the Black and White Fantail, but he is always affectionately called Willy Wagtail because of his friendly appearance and inquisitive nature. He loves to be with domestic animals and his favourite pastime is resting on the backs of sheep and cattle, springing up into the air to snap up the hundreds of insects which he disturbs as he moves in the wool. You may see him perching on the fence, wagging his long tail from side to side. He sings constantly making a queer sound that is just like a little whistle. He frequents the open bush country and nests in the tallest trees.
BETTY STUTLEY. Gnowangerup.
Western Mail, 11 October 1928.
Conducted by
Aunt Mary
WILLY WAGTAIL'S NAME.
(By K.M.H.)
There was a great bustling in the trees of the small lake situated in the peaceful valley. Amongst the older birds were Mr. and Mrs. Wagtail. They were too busy choosing a snug tree to build their nest to listen to the younger birds singing.
Mr. Wagtail flew off to get some fibrous roots, while Mrs. Wagtail cleared the place where the nest was intended. They had built nests before, and were quite accomplished in this direction.
Soon the fibre work was finished, and Mr. Wagtail brought along some spider web. This Mrs Wagtail wound around the nest. Mrs Wagtail chose feathers, Nanni, cotton, and other soft fabrics to line the pretty little nest. They finished it as the sun sank over the hill, and they were perhaps the happiest birds that sang their evening song in the lake that night.
Soon Mrs. Wagtail was sitting on three pretty little white eggs with a brown speckled ring on each. Three Weeks passed, and three little birdies were born in Mr. and Mrs.Wagtail's nest. One was bigger than the other two: his name was "Willy" while the second biggest had a very white breast, so they called him "Waistcoat" and the third was known as "Winnie.""
Mrs. Wagtail told her children to guard against the hissing snakes, the fierce hawk, and, worst of all, the cruel humans. Flying was next taught to the three youngsters. Willy could fly quite well after, some practice, but the other two Waistcoat and Winnie were not so strong.
One day Mr. Wagtail caine home with bad news that some little boys wero robbing birds nests. The humans were, attracted by , the Warblers and Wagtail's nests and at once rowed up and the cruel hands tool Waistcoat and Winnie, but Willy was just able to squeeze out of reach and hop on to the bough. There were only just a few young birds that had had the luck to escape.
The parents all met together up the tree to discuss the question of preventing wretched humans stealing their children. Mr. Kingfisher was the chairman, as he was the King of the Lake. "Can anyone suggest a method of punishing these humans?" 'said the Kingfisher. "I know." It was Willy Wagtail speaking. "Let us all gather together and charge the two little rascals, every bird carrying something to despatch out these plunderers."
This idea seemed to sound all right, but the thought of doing it was not inviting. "Poop! "Poop!" said the Kingfisher spitefully, who was not in favour of this idea. "Fancy a young spat like you speaking such nonsense. We would not dare to think of that idea, so forget it, old fellow. Besides, who will lead you? I won't, that's quite corolin.
This rude remark was too much for Willy, and he flew on to the perch where the King sat looking very dignified. To the Kingfisher's surprise, he found Willy standing in thc King's place addressing the other birds.
"Surely you birds are not frightened of these two rascals. Who is mr the Kingfisher? I will lead you if you have the courage to come with me. He was interrupted by a spiteful peck from the Kingfisher, saying, "Take that Master Wagtail. I will show you who is boss here."
This was too much for Willy. Puffing his beautiful white breast, raising the feathers on his head, and sharpening his beak, he made a rush and with a powerful wingflap sent Mr. Kingfisher sprawling. Mr. Kingfisher saw now that be was up against a strong opponent. Willy stood there, dignified and handsome. Mr. Kingfisher regained his balance, mid came down on Willy with a nasty peck that seemed to half Willy, but with a word from his father he was up again, each one pecking and flapping furiously.
Willy fell again, much to the other birds' disappointment, but, though feeling weak, be made his last effort, lie fought gallantly, and, with pecks that were straight, he gradually overwhelmed Mr. Kingfisher, and with a last blow he sent Mr. Kingfisher sprawling. After recovering himself and feeling ashamed, he slunk off to get out of the sight of his friends, whilst the other birds crowded around Willy and congratulated him. They were so pleased with the way the gallant little fellow fought that they regarded him as King.
After a speech by Willy, he gave instructions and they fell into their different squads headed by a captain. The swallows and Martin swallows carried mud. The tits and other birds curried worms and grubs, the cuckoos, eggs, while the other birds found tiny weapons to despatch out the rascals.
Willy Wagtail Iead the squad close to the house boat. The sight of these fifty odd birds coming straight for them made the two rascals terribly frightened and they moved to the far wide of the boat to get away from them, but on they came until, swish, they came by, and click the debris fell on the two rascals eggs, grubs, worms, mild, twigs, and other material were despatched.
They grew so terrified that they jumped overboard and tried to swim ashore, but the birds darted down and peeked their heads. At length they reached the shore and scrambled up in the midst of the fierce pecks from the birds. They ran off and told their other friends of the great adventure.
Meanwhile, the birds had flown back and landed on the boat, and were so delighted to find their young ones alive in wooden hoses. An order from Willy (now King), and the woodpeckers pecked away at the wood and in a few minutes they had the frightened little young, birds out. There never was such excitement in the lake before there were thrills of joy and cheerful songs, and altogether, every family was happy. Mrs. Wagtail wept for joy, while Mr. Wagtail praised his son for his bravery.
Ah the Wagtails declared from that that their name would not be just Wagtail, but Willy Wagtail, and that is how "Willy" was added to the name.
The happy band retired to thc beautiful overhanging weeping willow which was regarded by the bird folk of the luke as their assembling place to crown the King. There were three great cheers given when Mr. Warbler placed the beautiful crown of white daisies, woven by the tailor bird, on the head of Mr. Willy Wagtail-King of the Lake.
As the sun sank low down in the golden tipped willow, there was a band of happy birds who sang a beautiful chorus which filled the whole valley with clear, ringing notes:
Willy Wagtail-King of the Lake,
Fought so gallantly for our sake.
Such a handsome sprightly fellow.
Graceful tail and voice so mellow.
Now to all we say good-bye.
Though we say it with a sigh.
Good-bye, good-bye.
