I) I C M U M HIRUNDINACEUM. 
Swallow Dicseum. 
Sylvia hirundinacea, Shaw, Nat. Misc., vol. iv. pi. 114. — -Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. lv. 
Swallow Warbler, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 250. — Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. x. p. 613. 
Pipra Desmaretii, Leach, Zool. Misc., vol. i. p. 94. pi. 41. 
Crimson-throated Honey-sucker, Lewin, Birds of New Holl., pi. 7. 
Desmaretian Manalrin, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. x. p. 18. — Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vii. p. 240. 
Dicceum atrogaster, Less. Traite d'Orn., p. 303. 
Moo-ne-je-tang, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia. 
By far the greater number of the colonists of Australia are, I am sure, totally unacquainted with this 
beautiful little bird, yet there is scarcely an estate in either of the colonies in which it may not be found as 
a permanent resident or an occasional visitor : a closer examination of the birds, and other natural objects 
with which we are most nearly surrounded, would at all times repay with interest the trouble of their 
investigation. 
The natural disposition of this species leading it to confine itself almost exclusively to the topmost 
branches of the loftiest trees, is doubtless the cause of its not being more generally observed ; its rich 
scarlet breast, so strongly contrasting with the other parts of its plumage, not even attracting notice at the 
distance from the ground at which it generally keeps ; and, in obtaining specimens, I was more frequently 
made aware of its presence by its pretty warbling song than by its movements among the branches ; so 
small an object, in fact, is most difficult of detection among the thick foliage of the lofty Casuarince, to 
which trees it is extremely partial, particularly to those growing on the banks of creeks and rivers. It is 
also frequently to be seen among the branches of the beautiful parasite figured in the accompanying Plate : 
this charming Loranthus was gathered at Dartbrook, on the Upper Hunter, where it is very common on the 
Casuarince. Whether the bird is attracted to this misseltoe-like parasite, like many others, for the purpose 
of feeding upon its sweet and juicy berries, I could not fully make out; its chief food is insects, but in all 
probability it may partially feed on these fruits also. 
The Swallow Dicaeum has neither the actions of the Pardalotes nor of the Honey-eaters ; it differs from 
the former in its quick darting flight, and from the latter in its less prying, clinging and creeping actions 
among the leaves, &c. When perched on a branch it sits more upright, and is more Swallow-like in its 
contour than either of the forms alluded to ; the structure of its nest and the mode of its nidification are 
also very dissimilar. 
Its song is a very animated and long-continued strain, but is uttered so inwardly, that it is almost neces- 
sary to stand beneath the tree upon which the bird is perched, before its notes can be heard. 
It would appear that the range of this species extends to all parts of the Australian continent, since I 
have received specimens from every locality yet explored by Europeans. I found it breeding on the Lower 
Namoi, which proves that the interior of the country is inhabited by it as well as those portions between the 
ranges and the coast. 
Its beautiful purse-like nest, of which the drawing will give a far better idea than the most minute 
description, is composed of the white cotton-like substance found in the seed-vessels of many plants, and 
among other trees is sometimes suspended on a small branch of a Casuarina, or an Acacia pendula. It 
was on the latter tree that I found a nest containing three or four young ; a second nest with the eggs 
was given to me in Sydney. The ground-colour of the eggs is dull white, with very minute spots of brown 
scattered over the surface ; they are nine lines long by five and a half lines broad. 
The male has the head, all the upper surface, wings and tail black, glossed with steel-blue; primaries 
black ; throat, breast, and under tail-coverts scarlet ; flanks dusky ; abdomen white, with a broad patch of 
black down the centre ; irides dark brown ; bill blackish brown ; feet dark brown. 
The female is dull black above, glossed with steel-blue on the wings and tail ; throat and centre of the 
abdomen buff ; flanks light brown ; under tail-coverts pale scarlet. 
The figures are of the natural size, on a branch of the Loranthus above mentioned, which I believe to be 
an undescribed species. 
