190 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Nest. — Like that of other swifts, composed of materials picked up in 
the air and, according to some writers, a gelatinous substance secreted 
by the bird. Breeds in crevices of cliffs and, according to Przevalsky, also 
in hollow trees. 
Eggs. — Two or three, dull white, long oval in form. 
6. Fairy Martin Hylochelidon artel Gould 
Hy-lo-chel-i -don — Gk, hyle, wood ; Gk, chelidon, swallow : ar-i-el — Gk, 
aerios, airy ; ariel, a fairy, sprite. 
Distribution. — Australia and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Bottle Swallow, Cliff Swallow, and Land Swal- 
low. In flocks, frequenting open country, chiefly in the neighbourhood of 
creeks and rivers. This species is nomadic in its movements, but if the 
weather conditions are mild, it will remain in the same locality throughout 
the year. Food : insects, caught on the wing. 
Nest , — A retort or bottle-shaped structure, composed of pellets of 
mud; lined with dried grasses and feathers. Nests are built in rows or 
clusters and often the entrances only are visible. They are placed under 
the eaves of buildings, under the ledges of river-banks, under culverts, or 
in hollow trees and caves. 
Eggs. — Four or five, dull white, finely freckled with yellowish or very 
faint reddish-brown markings, chiefly at the larger end, often forming a 
zone. Breeding-season: August to January or February. 
7. Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena Gould 
Hi-run -do — L., hirundo , a swallow: ne-ox -en-a — Gk, neos , new; Gk, 
xenos, strange. 
Distribution. — Australia and Tasmania. 
Notes . — Also called House Swallow. A common and very well-known 
bird, frequenting park-lands and settled areas. It is, for the most part, 
a migratory species ; prior to departure for the northern parts of Australia, 
in the autumn, it congregates in large flocks. In many districts numbers 
remain throughout the year. It has a sweet, twittering song. Food: small 
flying insects. 
Nest. — A cup-shaped structure, composed of pellets of mud reinforced 
with small pieces of grass; lined with grass, horse-hair, and feathers. 
Nests are built under eaves of buildings, verandas, bridges, and in shel- 
tered caves. 
Eggs. — Four or five, white, freckled and spotted, particularly towards 
the larger end, with purplish-brown and underlying markings of lavender. 
Breeding-season : August to December, occasionally during the autumn 
months. 
8. White-backed Swallow Cheramceca Icucosterna Gould 
Cher-am-cec-a — Gk, cheramos , cleft; Gk, oicos, house: leuc-o-stern-a — 
Gk, leucos, white ; Gk, sternon, breast. 
Distribution. — Australia generally. 
