THE FAN-TAILED FLY-CATCHER.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR:1
Srit,---It may be interesting to some of your readers to be made acquainted with the fact of the wonderful confidence and trust which the fan-tailed fly-catcher, or, as it is most commonly called in the bush, the "shepherd's companion," displays. It really seems to have no fear, and may be found all over Australia, the far North, East, West, and South. The only place where I have missed my little friend was in Central Australia, and there I travelled one thousand miles and never saw or beard a living thing, exce pt, perhaps, a few lizards. But to return to my first topic. I have been travelling with cattle, and at mid-day, when camped for dinner, lain down for a nap with my bat pulled over my eyes. Very soon three or four "shepherds' companions" come about, and you hear their little beaks snap together as they dart about catching flies on your body, very often on your face. They may often be seen hopping about within a few yards of people, but their only diet seems to be grubs or flies ; crumbs they will not touch. Not long ago I was digging some ground for vegetables. Three or four of the little chaps used to watch operations with great interest, and when I got a grub I would throw it them. At last they got to taking them out of my hand. One day I was sowing peas, and one • of the little birds flew down to see what was the bill-of-fare for the day, and seeing the white peas in my hand, evidently mistook them for his favourite white grubs, and flew straight on to my hand, and picked up a pea. I may state that these birds behave to any one in the way I have described, but some of the Aboriginals cannot bear them, and I have heard some express themselves as believing they are "devils." They will always kill them if they can ; but they are generally too quick even for a black. The birds are black-backed, and their heads and throats are black, and their breasts and little whiskers are white.—I am, Sir, Sm., A. G. B.
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