120 



AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 



F. 118. HIRUNDINIDAE (6), SWALLOWS, MARTINS, 116 

 sp.— 9(6)A., 25(7)0., 16(2)P,, 54(50)E., 10(l)Nc., 

 34(27)N1. 

 3 238*Welcome Swallow (House), Ghelidon (Hirundo) 

 40 neoxena, A., T. =vt. Eur. House Swallow. Mig. chouses 6.6 



Breast, throat, forehead rust-red; abdomen whitish; head, 

 back, rump black; tail forked, a band of whitish spots; 

 f., duller. Flying insects. 



illustrated in this volume. And yet, we are told, this is a land 

 of songless birds. 



Swallows have always attracted much notice, perhaps, because 

 of their airy play when enjoying themselves after their long 

 migration flight. It is very difficult to realize that Cuvier and 

 most scientists of one hundred years ago believed that Swallows 

 hibernated by burying themselves in the mud in the bottom of 

 lakes and pools. It is interesting to note, in Gilbert White's 

 Natural History of Selborne, the growing doubt concerning this 

 belief; but, as it was supported by apparently good authority, he 

 is cautious. Fuller observation shows that there are well-marked 

 lines of migration, so that the European Swallow migrates some- 

 times even as far as South Africa, and the Swallows of North 

 Asia are said to migrate even to Australia. However, in our 

 winterless clime, migration is not complete, and this year (1910) 

 there was probably little migration of Swallows. As Swallows 

 are such rapid fliers, and spend much of their time on the win^, 



