SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF THE GENUS ARTAMUS. 
it repeatedly throws up and closes one wing at a time, and spreads 
the tail obliquely prior to settling. At other times, a few were seen 
perched on the fence surrounding the paddock, on which they fre- 
quently descended, like starlings in search of coleoptera and other 
insects. It is not however in this state of comparative quiescence 
that this graceful bird is seen to the greatest advantage ; neither is 
it that kind of existence for which its form is especially adapted ; 
for although its structure is more equally suited for terrestrial, 
arboreal and serial habits, than that of any other species I have 
examined, the form of the wing at once points out the air as its 
peculiar province ; hence it is, that when engaged in pursuit of the 
insects which the serene and warm weather has enticed from their 
lurking places among the foliage to sport in higher regions, this 
beautiful species, in these serial flights, displays its greatest beauty 
while soaring above in a variety of easy positions, with white tipped 
tail widely spread.” Another very extraordinary and singular habit 
of the bird, is that of clustering like bees on the dead branch of a 
tree. Mr. Gilbert thus writes to his employer from Swan River. 
“ The greatest peculiarity in the habits of this bird, is its manner 
of suspending itself in perfect clusters, like a swarm of bees ; a few 
birds suspending themselves on the under side of a dead branch, 
while others of the flock attach themselves, one to the other, in such 
numbers, that they have been observed nearly of the size of a 
bushel measure.” Of A . minor , Mr. Gould writes, “The present 
bird is still more serial, a circumstance indicated by the more 
feeble form of the foot, and the equal if not greater develop- 
ment of the wing. During fine weather, and even in the hottest 
part of the day, it floats about in the air in the most easy and 
graceful manner, performing in the course of its evolutions many 
beautiful curves and circles, without the least apparent motion of 
the wings, whose silvery whiteness as seen from beneath, together 
with the snowy tips of its wide spread tail, offer a strong contrast 
to the dark colouring of the other parts of its plumage.” The 
young “ were constantly being fed by their parents, who were 
hawking about in the air over and around the trees, while the 
O 
young were quietly perched on some dead twig.” And again, we 
have observations on the habits of A. leucopygialis : — - C£ In the 
Christmas week of 1839, at which time I was on the plains of 
the interior, in the direction of the Narnoi, the young progeny of 
