OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 17 



HOUSE-SWALLOW 



(Welcome Swallow), 



Hiruiido neoxeiia, CJld. 



Hi-run'do ne-ox'enci. 

 Hirundo, a swallow ; neos, new ; zenos, strange. 

 HiRUNDO NEOXENA, Gould, " Birds of Australia," fol., vol. ii., pi. 13. 

 Geographical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. 



Key to the Species. — Forked tail ; throat rust-red ; abdomen white ; 

 ear coverts glossy blue, like back. 



In 1896 this beautiful species of the air departed from its 

 usual custom of migrating northwards, and was quite content, 

 on account of the moderately mild season, to remain through- 

 out the year in the extreme south of the continent. In 

 March of that year the birds assembled in hundreds in the 

 main street of one of our southern cities, inclining me to the 

 belief that at least one contingent was preparing for the 

 annual journey. They settled on the projecting mouldings 

 on the third floor of a five-storied building, each bird uttering 

 a single note, which collectively constituted a din of weak 

 voices. A flock of several hundreds — apparently on their 

 return journey — entered a large school building in a country 

 town, much to the amusement and interest of the assembled 

 children. Agriculturists ever welcome the House-Swallow as 

 one of their best friends, and it was well for those dwelling in 

 this wheat-growing district that the flock kept the even tenor 

 of its way. 



In March three features are observable about these birds. 

 Firstly, that they are extremely combative. One pair I 

 noticed for several minutes engaged in a fierce duel while on 

 the wing. Having ascended to a high altitude, they chased 

 each other downwards, alternately becoming pursuer and 



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