120 
AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 
F. 118. HIRUNDINIDAE (6), SWALLOWS, MARTINS, 116 
sp.— 9(6)A., 25(7)0., 16(2)P,, 54(50)E., 10(l)Nc., 
34(27)N1. 
A 3 238* Welcome Swallow (House), Chelidon (Hirundo) 
40 neoxena, A., T. =Yi. Eur. House Swallow. Mig. chouses 6.6 
Breast, throat, forehead rust-red; abdomen whitish; head, 
back, rump black; tail forked, a^band of whitish spots; 
f., duller. Flying insects. 
illustrated in this volume. And yet, we are told, this is a land 
of songless birds. 
Swallows have always attracted much notice, perhaps, because 
of their airy play when enjoying themselves after their long 
migration flight. It is very difficult to realize that Cuvier and 
most scientists of one hundred years ago believed that Swallows 
hibernated by burying themselves in the mud in the bottom of 
lakes and pools. It is interesting to note, in Gilbert White's 
Natural History of Selhorne, the growing doubt concerning this 
belief; but, as it was supported by apparently good authority, he 
is cautious. Fuller observation shows that there are well-marked 
lines of migration, so that the European Swallow migrates some- 
times even as far as South Africa, and the Swallows of North 
Asia are said to migrate even to Australia. However, in our 
winterless clime, migration is not complete, and this year (1910) 
there was probably little migration of Swallows. As Swallows 
are such rapid fliers, and spend much of their time on the wing, 
