270 THE WOOD SWALLOW. 



The bill and legs are black, and the eyes dark brown. The female, although a very pretty 

 bird, cannot lay claim to the gorgeous coloring whicli decorates lier mate. In her, the parts 

 which in the male are scarlet, are bright golden-yellow, and the back of the head and the 

 scapularies are gray. The greater coverts are olive-brown. 



This genus contains many species, several of which are remarkable for the rich beauty of 

 their plumage. They are gregarious, assembling iu little flocks, and as they are extremely 

 loquacious, they make a considerable noise as they sit chattering and whistling in groups upon 

 the topmost branch of some lofty tree. In their habits they are similar to the last-mentioned 

 bird, being insect-feeders, and preferring the beetles, or, more rigidly spealdng, the coleopterous 

 insects, to any other food. Their nest is generally jDlaced in the branches of some tall tree, at 

 a considerable elevation from the ground, is small in size, is composed of grasses and lichens, 

 and generally contains about two small streaked eggs. 



Next in order comes a group of birds, called, from the peculiar form of their tails, Dicru- 

 riase, or Double-tailed Birds, and also known by the title of Deongo Shrikes. These birds 

 are so very like the shrikes, or butcher birds, that they have often been confoimded with 

 them ; and, as may be seen from the popular title of the group, have been ranked with these 

 birds in some systems. They are not, as a rule, of large dimensions, their average size being 

 that of a common blackbird, and many of them are remarkable for beauty of plumage and 

 grace of form. 



The Wood Swallows are spread over a large poiiion of the globe ; some species being 

 found in India and the islands of the Indian seas, and others being inhabitants of Australia. 

 Owing to their shrike-like form, and their swift flight, they have been termed Swift Shrikes 

 by some naturalists. Several species of this genus are found in Australia, and that which is 

 most frequently noticed is the common Wood Swallow, or Sordid Thkitsii. Tliis species is 

 commou in many parts of Australia, and is migratory in its habits, arriving in and leaving 

 Van Diemen's Land at regular intervals, and making a partial migration on the Australian 

 continent. Some individuals, however, remain in the same country throTighout the year, as 

 they liud abundance of food without the al)Solute need of repairing to another climate. The 

 habits of the Wood Swallow are very curious and interesting, and are well described by Mr. 

 Gould, in his well-known work on the Birds of Australia : — 



"Tills Wood Swallow, besides being the commonest species of the genus, must, I think, 

 be considered a general favorite with the Australians, not only from its singular and pleasing 

 actions, but by its often +aking up its abode and incubating near the houses, particularly such 

 as are surr<ninded by paddocks and open pasture-lands skirted by large trees. It was in such 

 situations as these, in Van Diemen's Land, at the commencement of spring, that I flrst had the 

 opportunity of observing this species ; it is tliere very numerous on all the cleared estates on 

 the south side of the Derwent, about eight or ten being seen on a single tree, and half as many 

 crowding one against another on the same dead branch, but never in such numbers as to 

 deserve the appellation of flocks. Each bird appeared to act independently of the other ; 

 each, as the desire for food prompted it, sallying forth from the branch to capture a passing 

 insect, or to soar around the tree, and return again to the same spot. On alighting, it repeat- 

 edly throws up and closes one wing at a time, and spreads its tail obliquely prior to settling. 



" At other times a few were seen perched on the fence surrounding the paddock, on which 

 they frequently descended, like starlings, in search of coleoptera and other insects. 



"It is not, however, in this state of comparative quiescence that this graceful bird is seen 

 to the best advantage ; neither is it that kind of existence for which its form is especially 

 adapted ; loi-, although its structure is more equally suited for terrestrial, arboreal, and aerial 

 habits than that of any other species I have examined, the form of the wing at once points out 

 the air as its peculiar province. Here it is that, when engaged in pursuit of the insects which 

 the serene and warm weathei" has enticed from their lurking-places among the foliage to sport 



