MORGAN— The Migration of Swallows in 8. A. 119 



month of the year, but the majority are true 'infra Australian 

 migrants,' coming to us to breed in September, and retiring 

 to more northern parts of the country (just how far north 

 they go is not known) about April." 



Leach (An Australian Bird Book), treating the swallows 

 as a group, says, "Migration is not complete," and "that in 

 1910 (on account of the mild winter) there was probably 

 little migration," 



Mr. F. L. Berney (Emu, Vol. IV., p. 45) records the wel- 

 come swallow from Richmond, Flinders River, North Queens- 

 land, as a winter visitor, but says he has records from Octo- 

 ber to March. This may be meant for from March to Octo- 

 ber. He says the black-and-white swallow is present at 

 almost any time; it is irregular and uncertain, and does not 

 nest there. He says there are two lots of the fairy martin, 

 a summer and winter lot. The summer residents go north 

 in winter, and their place is taken by visitors from the south. 

 Both lots nest from December to February, and July to 

 August. 



Mr. Mattingly (Emu, Vol. VI., p. 130) records a pair of 

 birds remaining in the same situation throughout the year 

 for twelve years, in North Melbourne. 



Mr. C. A. Barnard (Emu, Vol. IX., p. 92) records fairy 

 martins building at Coomoboolaroo, Queensland, in May, then 

 leaving off on account of cold weather, returning to occupy 

 them in August. * 



T)r. McOillivray records all four species from the gulf 

 country of North Queensland; the black-and-white in March 

 and June, the others without dates. 



The results of my own observations for South Australia 

 are that the welcome swallow is less numerous about Ade- 

 laide in the winter. They certainly do not all leave, nor by 

 any means all, for birds are quite commonly seen in all months 

 of the year. With the exception of the black-and-white 

 swallow they are, locally, the least numerous of the family. 

 They breed in separate pairs, and leave their nesting places 

 as soon as the last brood is reared, all circumstances which 

 would lead one to believe that they have migrated or partly 

 migrated. I have never seen them gather in flocks, as re- 

 corded by Mr. North for New South Wales, though in the 

 autumn months one may sometimes see as many as 20 or 30 

 skimming the water in search of insects. Not only do a con- 

 siderable number of birds remain with us throughout the 



