A \IT\M (JS LEUCOPYGIALIS f-/^. 



WHITE-R UMPED Wool) SWALLOW. 



I N almost cvcrv part of Australia, except the west, this member of the genus Artamus, is found 

 1 in considerable abundance, gum forests and thickets being alike frequented, though it evinces a 

 preference for the larger trees. 



In tii«' pursuit of insects it is extremely active, capturing them both among the foliage of 

 the trees and on the ground. 



It associates in small Hocks of four or live, generally the progeny of one pair. 



During September and the four following months, which constitute the period of incubation, a 

 nest is constructed of twigs, lined with grass, leaves, and feathers. Sometimes, however, it takes 

 p. .-session of a deserted nest of some other bird. Two broods are reared, three eggs being laid each 

 time. The colour of the eggs is white, slightly tinged with pink, and speckled with rufous brown 

 and grey. In length they are ten lines, and in breadth seven and a- half lines. 



The head, throat, and chest, are dark grey; back, brown; wings and tail, bluish-black; 

 abdomen and rump, white; irides, reddish-brown; bill, legs, and feet, bluish-grey. 



Habitats : North Coast, Queensland, Xew South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 



ARTAMUS MELANOPS (Gould). 



BLACK-FACED WOOD SWALLOW. 



BOTH in habits and appearance this species resembles Artamus Sordidus, but has a distinguishing 

 mark in the black colouring of the face. 



It inhabits the interior of South Australia, but is not found in the vicinity of the coast. 



The plumage of the sexes is precisely similar, but the female is very slightly smaller than 

 the male. 



The lores, face, rump, and under tail-coverts, are black ; head and back, brown ; upper surface 

 of wings, deep blue, under surface, white ; chest and abdomen, light buffy-grey ; tail-feathers black, 

 all except the two middle ones tipped with white ; bill, leaden grey ; irides, reddish-brown ; 

 feet, black. 



Total length, (>§ inches ; bill, f inch ; wing, 4f inches ; tail, 3 inches ; tarsi, f inch. 



Habitat : South Australia. 



