THE SINGING BIRDS. 1 57 



for certain trees is so strong that where these grow it is often found living at an altitude of 4,000 

 feet above the level of the sea. It is" only in the air that these birds exhibit their full powers ; and 

 as they glide along, with outspread but almost motionless wings, their movements resemble those of 

 some of the Raptores. Other species, on the contrary, exhibit all the rapidity and free evolution of 

 the True Swallow, as they soar aloft or sink rapidly to the earth in pursuit of their tiny aerial victims. 

 They but rarely descend to the ground, as their progress on foot is accomplished with some difficulty. 

 Shortly after the breeding season enormous parties of Swallow Shrikes congregate upon the trees, 

 where they live in the utmost harmony, each one satisfying its own wants, and carrying on the 

 business of the day without either molesting or rendering assistance to its companions. A tree 

 thus occupied is as full of life and bustle as a beehive, every part of its foliage affording a perch to 

 one of these hungry and active birds, whose sharp eyes enable them instantly to detect and dart 

 upon a passing insect, after which process they at once return to their former position on the tree. 

 Gould tells us that these large flocks may often be seen hovering over a sheet of water, and 

 literally darkening its surface by their numbers, as they dart about amidst the tempting hosts of 

 insects that abound in such localities. We must not omit to mention one very striking peculiarity of 

 the Wood Swallows. Gilbert tells us he has seen swarms of these birds, as large as a bushel measure, 

 hanging like bees in large clusters from the branches of the trees. " This bird," says Gould, 

 " besides being the commonest species of the genus, is a great favourite with the Australians, not 

 only on account of its singular and pleasing actions, but by its often taking up its abode and 

 incubating near the houses, particularly such as are surrounded by paddocks and open pasture-land, 

 skirted by large trees. It was in such situations as these I first had the opportunity of observing 

 this species : it is there very numerous in all the cleared estates on the south side of the Derwent, 

 about eight or ten being seen on a single tree, crowding against one 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 repeatedly throws one wing out at a time, and spreads its tail obliquely, previous 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 best advantage, neither is it at that state 

 of existence for which its form is especially adapted ; for though its structure is more equally suited 

 for terrestrial, arboreal, and aerial habits than any other species I have examined, yet the form of the 

 wings point out the air as its peculiar province. Here it is that when engaged in pursuit of the 

 insects which the warm weather has enticed from their lurking-places among the foliage to sport in 

 higher regions, this beautiful species in its aerial flights displays its greatest beauty, whilst soaring 

 above in a variety of easy positions, with its white-tipped tail outspread." 



The voice of these birds resembles the call-note of the Swallow, but is somewhat harsher and 

 more monotonous. Some are stationary, while others wander from one place to another as soon as 

 the period of incubation is over. The Wood Swallow makes its appearance in Van Dieman's Land in 

 October, at the commencement of the Australian summer ; and after rearing two hroods returns again 

 to more northern latitudes. The nests are built in a great variety of situations. Gould found one in 

 a thickly-foliaged bush close to the ground, another placed in the fork of a bare branch, and others 

 under the loose bark of a large tree ; they are also frequently placed under the roofs of the settlers' 

 houses ; and one species in particular prefers to avoid all labour by taking possession of the deserted 

 nests of other birds. Their own nests are usually neatly formed of delicate twigs, woven together, 

 and lined with fine fibrous roots. The four eggs that constitute a brood are generally of a dirty white, 



