186 Mr. R. Hall on Birds 



As for the species P. affinis (always yellow-tipped), I 

 believe it to be only a phase of the subspecies P. assimilis. 

 On a previous occasion* I proved P. assimilis to have only 

 the third quill edged with white (scarlet speculum), and the 

 speculum may be yellow just as in the '^^ third and fourth 

 quiir^ phase. If this is really so, and I see no reason to the 

 contrary, there is nothing to distinguish it from P. affinis. 

 Proof will doubtless be forthcoming in support of my view, as 

 specimens come in from time to tiine, even if the delay is as 

 long as in the finding of the specimen under review. I shall 

 then place P. affinis along with P. assimilis. 



43. Cheramceca leucosternum. Black-and-White Swal- 

 low. (Hairs Key, p. 47.) 



I identified this species from one specimen obtained at 

 Geraldton, 14.10.99. A second example was nesting in a 

 sand-bank and incubating four eggs. 



To others as well as myself it is surprising that this short- 

 legged and small-billed bird should be so fond of burrowing. 

 Apparently feebly formed, its bill must perform a movement 

 similar to that noticed in certain Picarian birds that also 

 tunnel. In one cliff-side a pair of Swallows had made five 

 " caves ^' six inches apart in a line. The first in order 

 penetrated some three inches into the firm sandy soil, while 

 the others were each successively a little deeper, and the last 

 was nearirig completion. 



44. Petrochelidon nigricans. Tree-Martin. (Hall's 

 Key, p. 47.) 



One skin was pi'ocured at Denmark on Nov. 3rd. This 

 species was nesting freely in the hollows of very high dead 

 timber. I had to wait twenty minutes before a bird came 

 low enough to be killed with small-sized shot. 



45. Anthus australis. Pipit. (Hall's Key, p. 47.) 

 A. Sk. ad. (J. 27.10.99. 



-D cji • on in no f Geraldton. 



B. Sk. imm. 29.10.99. J 



My attention was particularly draAvn to the colouring in 

 * Proc. Liun. Soc. N. S. Wakvs, vol. xxiv. p. 472 (1899). 



