172 



from their retreats in the hollow branches of the dead trees. 

 Whilst in pursuit of ducks with Mr. C. F. Wells on 8th August,, 

 he called my attention to one of these birds perched within a few 

 feet of my head. It was nearly black, but whilst changing my 

 cartridge it disappeared across the creek, and could not again be 

 found. Subsequently others wers seen. They frequently came 

 under the verandah at the telegraph station at night in pursuit 

 of insects, flying in and out like Welcome Swallows. 



No. 34. HiRUNDO NEOXENA (Welcome Swallow). 



These w^ell-known birds were only seen near Geraldton at the- 

 start of the expedition. They are by no means common in West 

 Australia. 



No. 36. Lagenoplastes ariel (Fairy Martin). 

 Near Cue and at Fitzroy River I saw numbers of these birds, 

 and was informed that their well-known bottle-shaped mud nests 

 are frequently seen among the rocks of the St. George Range. 



No. 37. Cheramceca leucosternum (White-breasted Swallow), 

 Numbers of these pretty birds were seen tunnelling in the 

 sandy crown of a hill near Cue on June 28, whilst others were 

 examining crevices in the rocks. Mr. Jones, who was with me^ 

 kindly climbed to several places from which we saw the birds 

 emerge, but found the nests were unfinished. These swallows 

 were subsequently seen as we entered the desert, and on 

 September 29 I obtained specimens of young birds just able to 

 fly, in addition to adults of both sexes. A few were soaring 

 overhead at Fitzroy River during January and the two following 

 months. 



No. 38. Artamus personatus (Masked Wood Swallow). 

 Early in August we passed through an immense flock of these 

 birds in a mulga scrub. They appeared to be migrating, and to 

 have simply stopped to satisfy the cravings of hunger, as they 

 were soon busy amongst the grasshoppers. We camped for lunch, 

 but, before resuming our journey, they had made a start. On 

 several subsequent occasions they were noted, and near our 

 camel depot on August 25 they were found in company with A. 

 7nelanops and A. superciliosus. As we approached the northern 

 border of the desert we saw numerous flocks, whose welcome chirp 

 was the only sound that disturbed the silence of the journey. 



No. 39. Artamus superciliosus (White-eyebrowed Wood 

 Swallow). 



These birds were only seen on one or two occasions. Near the 

 camel depot on August 25 a number were noted, but, although I 



