When Whirlybirds Call

"When Whirlybirds Call" by Frank Banta is an early 1960s science fiction tale that unfolds on Grimes Planet, where the town of Featherton faces a peculiar danger: colossal, predatory whirlybirds. The spotlight shines on Five-gun Charles DeCrabbe, a confident bounty hunter who arrives in town ready to take on the challenge using a wild collection of weapons and clever strategies. These strange Coocoo-downdraft-peoplehawk-whirlybirds are snatching up villagers and dropping them, a threat the townsfolk have been unable to handle. DeCrabbe's journey involves a series of inventive and comically absurd plans, like using robot dummies as bait. His wit and determination help him uncover the whirlybirds' weaknesses, and he leaves Featherton a celebrated hero, proving that even the weirdest problems can be solved with a bit of cleverness.