LITTLE WOOD-SWALLOW. 
Nest. Is a small shallow structure, and frequently placed in the hollow limb of a tree or 
on a stump, or in the crevice of a rocky bank or cliff. Composed of rootlets and 
twigs. Sometimes when in a hollow only a few dead leaves and rootlets constitute 
the nest. 
Artamus minor clerbyi Mathews. Nest usually in crevices of a cliff. 
Breeding-season. October to January. 
Although Gould was not the describer of this species his notes are 
probably the earliest, albeit scanty and unimportant. Thus he wrote : 
“ In its structure and in the disposition of the markings of its plumage, this 
species offers a greater resemblance to the Artamus sordidus than to any 
other member of the group ; the habits of the two species are also very 
similar ; if any difference exists, it is that the present bird is still more 
aerial, a circumstance indicated by the more feeble form of the foot, and the 
equal, if not greater, development of the wings. 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, the silvery whiteness of which, as seen from beneath, and the snowy 
tips of its widespread tail strongly contrast with the dark colouring of the 
other parts of its plumage. I found the Artamus minor abundant on the 
Lower Namoi, particularly on the plains thinly studded with the Acacia 
pendula and other low trees in the neighbourhood of Gummel-Gummel, where 
it had evidently been breeding, as I observed numerous young ones, whose 
primaries were not sufficiently developed to admit of their performing a 
migration of any distance ; besides which, they were constantly being fed 
by the parents, who were hawking about in the air over and around the trees, 
while the young were quietly perched close to each other on a dead twig.” 
Captain S. A. White has written me that he only met with this byd 
once and that was in the Macdonnell Ranges, which he has recorded : “We 
met with these rare birds in Ellery Creek. Our camel train was passing up 
the sandy bed of the creek, with high rugged cliffs on either side, a small 
party of seven or eight birds were seen, but through my riding camel playing 
up and making much noise only one was secured. I think this is the 
furthest south a skin has been collected in the Northern Territory.” 
Mr. Tom Carter’s notes are : “ The Little Wood-Swallow (A. minor) 
appears to be restricted to northern areas. They were fairfy common along 
the rugged ranges that extend from Point Cloates to the North-west Cape 
(Vlaming Head is the north end of ranges), almost every precipitous gorge 
having a few pairs of the birds which do not appear to fly very far from their 
vicinity. I never succeeded in obtaining any nests or eggs, as the birds 
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