30 HIEUNDINIDJE. 



Family HIRUNDINID^. 



Genus HIKUNDO, Linnceus. 



, s, HIRUNDO NEOXENA, Gould. 



( IT. frontalis, Quoy et Gainiard.) 



Welcome Swallow. 



Ouidd, Ilandbk., Bis. Aiisf., Vol. i., sp. 53, p. 107. 



'■ Although this species is strictly migratory, yet it is no easy 

 task to determine the exact date of its arrival in the neighbourhood 

 of Sydney, or its departure therefrom, owing to the number of 

 stragglers which remain with us during the whole of the year. 

 I believe however^ that the visitants arrive early in July, or 

 perhaps late in June, and leave us again in the end of January 

 and February. After their arrival, and again just before their 

 departure, they may be seen in great numbers flying to ^nd fro 

 o\er the fields, and often skimming over the water-holes and 

 lagoons ; but keeping very high sometimes almost out of sight, 

 during the middle of the day." 



" I have frequently observed them, in company with tlie Fairy 

 Martin ( LngenoplastKS nrielj flying over the lawn of the inner 

 Domain in Sydney. Tree Swallows (J'etrocltclidon nigricans) also 

 accompany tliis species in search of food. We met with all tliree 

 species mixed up in one immense flock during December 1864, at 

 Lake Batliurst ; liere they were following in our wake as we 

 walked through the rushes on a small island, obtaining a rich 

 feast on the small Libellulci', which flew up in countless numbers 

 .at every step we took. The pupa-cases of these insects were 

 lying piled up between tlie rushes to the height of two, and even 

 three feet, while the edges of the island at dusk were alive with 

 the pupie crawling out of the water. The proper breeding season 

 oillirundo neoxena is during the months of August and throughout 

 to tlie end of December ; stragglers, however, may be found 

 breeding at almost any time. I have fourtd them building in the 

 Dobroyde stables, both in the months of February and June ; and 



