FANTAIL. 
the need of extending it. The young birds of the first year have a white line 
across the throat above the black throat mark, and white spots on the head 
above the eyes and behind the ears. The remainder of their plumage is grey, 
except the breast, which is pale buff. Could a prize be offered for the handsomest 
nest, it would probably be awarded to the Humming Birds, whose nests are 
marvels both of structural beauty and of ornamentation. The nest of Rhipidura 
diemenensis somewhat resembles the Humming Bird’s model, but is, of course, 
larger, and has a short stem added to the cup or bowl.” 
Mr. E. J. Christian wrote me also from Victoria : “ This little bird is an 
un doubted favourite; being not in the least shy, he will always attempt to 
make friends with you. I was one day shooting rabbits, and just for an experi- 
ment I pointed my rifle at one of these little birds. Seeing me stop, he came 
closer and had the boldness to circle round and round the very foresight. In 
the south he is the most common Fantail, and may be seen along any creek. 
It very rarely flies hi a straight line, but its course is more of a wavy nature. 
It can’t keep still one moment ; it flies up and circles round, giving vent to a 
peculiar note, which sounds like ‘ tinny.’ This is generally made once only 
while circling before resting again, but sometimes is repeated two or three 
times. After repeating these evolutions three or four times it breaks out into 
a short, beautiful song. To hear these birds in a shady place by water is one 
of the many treats which nature can give to the naturalist.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor writes : “ This is our common South Australian species, 
and is found plentifully about the Mount Lofty Ranges, and is an occasional 
visitor to the Adelaide Plains, but this is not often. I have noted it on rare 
occasions singly at the Reedbeds and have also seen it in the Flinders Ranges 
and on Eyre’s Peninsula.” 
Mr. T. P. Austin has written me from Cobbora, New South Wales : “I 
cannot say the present species is common anywhere in this district, but a few 
pairs are to be sparingly met with in the scrubs, resorting mostly to the saplings, 
but frequently seen playing about the topmost branches of the large ironbark 
trees, where they occasionally place their nests, but they are much more often 
found nearer the ground. It is quite fearless of man, often coming inside of 
houses to catch flies. Many years ago, while living in Geelong, Victoria, these 
friendly little creatures often came into our dining-room, while we were having 
breakfast, always perching on the gas chandelier, from which they would dart 
about the room, and on to the window r -pane catching flies. Excepting w r hen 
on a nest, I have never seen one remaining still for more than a few seconds 
at a time ; it is always on the move, darting about to capture some flying insect 
or fluttering more slowly from twig to twig, and even when perched for a moment, 
the tail is continuously swaying, and the wings are slightly expanded, ready 
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