The Fantail 



■p the smaller species that live 

 about the station policies, the 

 Fantail, our second small 

 homesteader, is equally fear- 

 less and sociable. Tree 

 growth and shelter it is that brings him 

 to the station. The garden itself con- 

 tains little of interest to the Fantail, the 

 herbaceous borders must appear wasted 

 labour, and the green lawn of no ac- 

 count. He is a flycatcher first and fore- 

 most, a worshipper of woods and groves, 

 happy in summer amongst his native bush, 

 whilst in late winter the alien bluegums are 

 a particular attraction. On calm July 

 mornings parties of Fantails gather about 

 their blossoming tops, fluttering and turn- 

 ing, diving and rising, and performing 

 a hundred airy turns and somersaults in 

 pursuit of their prey. 



