HIRUNDO NEOXENA. 



(Welcome Swalloiv.) 



Forehead, throat, and eliest, rust red; upper surface, deep steel blue; wings and tail, blackish brown — all but the two central feathers of 

 the tail have an oblique mark of white on the inner web ; under surface, very pale brown ; under tail covects, tipped with white ; iridos, dark 

 brown ; bill and feet, black. 



Length, 5| inches ; wing, 4^; tail, 3i; bill, i; tarsus, -}. 



This pretty swallow is found throughout Australia and Tasmania, and also in the islands of the Malayan Archipelago. Its 

 appearance is the harbinger of spring, the time of its visitation depending upon the temperature. Its appearance in Tasmania is much later, 

 and its departure thence earlier, than in the more northern portions of Australia. In New South Wales and Queensland a few may be 

 occasionally observed even in the winter season, but by far the greater number migrate to the north. From the beginning of August to the 

 beginning of May it may be observed busily engaged in the work of incubation, its nest being frequently constructed in situations similar to 

 those of the English swallow, the eaves of houses being favorite spots. The nest is open at the top, and the clay or mud is intermingled with 

 grass to give strength and bind the structure strongly together. It is lined with a layer of grass, and finally with feathers. The eggs, which 

 are of an elongated shape, are generally four in number; color, pinky white, spotted with purplish brown and greyish brown, in many 

 examples forming a zone at the larger end : size, 9 by 6 lines. 



IimUNDO EllETENSIS. 



(Torres Straits Swalloiv.) 



Theoat, rusty red, bounded below by an indistinct band of dull bluish black ; under surface, white ; tail, forked — all but the two middle 

 feathers with a spot of white on the inner webs ; crown of the head, brownish black, with steel reflexions ; back and upper tail coverts, glossy 

 steel bluish black ; wings, black, glossed with green ; bill and feet, black. 



Length, 5 inches ; wing, 4^ ; tail, 2i ; bill, from gape to tip, y^ ; breadth at base, yV 5 tarsus, i- 



The above description by Mr. Grould is taken from a specimen received by him from Mr. Rayner, Surgeon of H.M.S. Herald, 

 who shot it on the northern shore of Australia. It was somewhat immature, and the tail feathers perhaps not fully developed. It bore a 

 strong resemblance to the H. Eustica of Europe. Mr. Grould believes it to be an inhabitant of Java, having in Va possession a fully adult 

 specimen from that island, which he believes is identical with the present species. 



ATTICOUA LEUCOSTERNON. 



(White-breasted Swallow.) 



Ceown of the head, light blown, surrounded by a ring of white ; lores, black ; a broad band, commencing at the eye and passing round the 

 back of the neck, brown ; centre of the back, throat, chest, and under surface of the shoulder, white ; wings and tail, brownish black ; rump, 

 upper tail coverts, abdomen, and under tail coverts, black ; irides, dark reddish brown ; bill, blackish brown ; feet, greenish grey. 



Length, 5| inches ; wing, 4 ; tail, 3i ; bill, yV ; tarsus, \. 



This species is widely distributed, ranging from Western Australia to very nearly the eastern coast. It has been obtained on 

 the Namoi by Mr. Coxen, in South Australia by Mr. White, and in Western Australia by Mr. Gilbert. The latter of these ornithologists 

 asserts that it often chooses the deserted retreat of a small burrowing animal (Perameles Lagotis) in which to deposit its eggs, and probably 

 to retire for the night ; it al^o constructs its own burrow, and it is not at all unlikely that the same suffices for the incubation of several 

 broods simultaneously, as more than one pair have been seen to issue from the same hole. The tunnel is about a yard long, and enlarged 

 into a chamber at the extremity, which is lined with leaves of the Acacia and grass. As many as nine eggs have been found in one nest : they 

 are white, and long in proportion to the width. The flight of this species is high and sustained, and it is consequenlty difficult to procure. It 

 seldom remains long in one locality, and may be sometimes seen, though but for a short time, mingling in the flocks of other swallows. 



