PLATE 3I_ 



GENUS ART AM US. 



NO less than eight members of this genus inhabit Australia, and others are found in the Indian 

 Islands and India. 



AETAMUS MINOR (Vidii.) 



LITTLE WOOD-SWALLOW. 



THE Little Wood Swallow is found in the interior of New South Wales and Queensland, and 

 specimens have also been procured on the north coast and in some of the adjacent islands. 



It feeds solely on insects,* procured for the most part among the foliage of low shrub- 

 like trees. 



Its beauty is best seen when flying about, which it does in the graceful manner peculiar to 

 swallows, the wings being extended, but scarcely moving. 



It builds a nest of twigs and fine fibres, in which four eg-a-s are laid. The situation chosen 

 is generally a branch of a dead tree, very often in the close vicinity of human dwellings. 



The head, and upper and under surfaces are dark brown ; wings, rump, and tail, - deep bluish- 

 black, all except the two outer and two middle tail-feathers tipped with white ; bill, blue ; legs and 

 feet, bluish-black. 



Habitats : Interiors of New South Wales and Queensland, and the north coast. 



AETAMUS SOEDIDUS. 



WOOD SWALLOW. 



THE range of this species is very extensive, including the whole of the southern portion of the 

 Australian continent, as well as Tasmania. Like all the Swallow tribe it is migratory, arriving 

 in the above localities in the spring and departing again at the latter end of summer. 



It is exceedingly tame in disposition, flying without the least fear about the verandahs of 

 houses, and even into the rooms. During its swift and graceful flight it extends the wings and tail, 

 thus showing to advantage its contrasted hues of white and dark grey. 



It has a most peculiar habit of hanging in clusters from the branch of a tree, reminding an 

 observer of a swarm of bees. 



