120 THE BIRDS OF THE COCCORA DISTRICT. 



Hirundo neoxena' (House Swallow). — A few pairs sometimes remain about my house the whole 

 year, and return to the same nests season after season, often rearing three broods one after the 

 other. Most of their nests are. placed on rafters in outbuildings, such as stables. A lew years 

 ago one pair started to build in a passage in my house, and although the nest was knocked clown 

 .l:i\ after day they would not give up building, so I kept the doors shut for about a week, but as soon 

 as they were left open again the Swallows returned, f then hung a stuffed Goshawk just beneath 

 the nest; this was too much for the Swallows, so they went under a back verandah, built a nest, 

 and reared their young. 



< heramoeca leucosternum (Black and White Swallow). — A few years ago this species was 

 frequently seen at any time of the year, but I have not seen any since 191 1. They used to nest 

 here in holes drilled into the banks of the river and dry creeks, laving from three to six eggs. 



Petrockelidon nigricans (Tree Martin). — Avery common species, remaining throughout the year. 

 1 Him several pairs of birds will be found nesting in the same tree, sometimes in the same branch, 

 and I have found more than one nest within the same hollow. They are very close sitters ; I 

 have frequently chopped open the nesting branch and lifted the sitting bird from the nest. They 

 usually lay during September and October, but generally rear a second brood. Four or five eggs 

 are mostly laid for a sitting. 



Pctrochelidon 111 iel (Fairy Martin). — Arriving in large numbers towards the end of August and 

 early in September, they commence nest building almost immediately, often resorting to the same 

 place year after year. They do not all appear to arrive at the same time. I have frequently 

 found almost fully-fledged young birds, while other nests in the same colony are not half completed. 

 Fresh eggs may be found as late as December, but no doubt this is often owing to birds laying a 

 second time. They lay from three to five eggs for a sitting, a big percentage of which are pure 

 white without any markings, while others are heavily freckled, especially about the larger end. 



Microeca fascinans (Brown Fly-catcher). — This cheerfnl little bird remains here in great numbers 

 throughout the year, and is met with almost anywhere, mostly in pairs. Their small nests would 

 generally escape notice if it were not for the solicitous actions of the owners. They mostly lay during 

 September and October, but nests containing eggs are at times found much later, probably second 

 layings. Two eggs are mostly laid for a sitting, but I have twice found clutches of three. 



Nest and eggs of the Ked-capped Robin (Petroeca goodenovii) , about natural size, in partly 

 broken piece of bark of a dead Iron bark Tree. 



