BIRDS OF THE OPEN FOREST 
79 
19. Tree Martin Hylochelidon nigricans Vieillot 
Hy-lo-chel-V-don—Gk , hyle, wood; Gk, chelidon , swallow: ni'-gri-cans— 
L., nigricans, blackish. 
distribution. Australia and Tasmania; also occurs in the Moluc¬ 
cas, Aru Islands, and New Guinea. 
notes. Also called Tree-swallow. Arrives in southern Australia in 
flocks during August, departs at the end of March or April. Common 
in the interior as well as the coastal districts, particularly those areas 
studded with tall and wide-spreading trees, where one sees it “hawk¬ 
ing” insects on the wing. Odd pairs remain throughout the year. 
nest. Usually in a hole of a dead tree or in a cleft of a cliff; lined 
with dead leaves. Mud is often used to narrow the entrance. 
eggs. Four or five, creamy or pearly-white, occasionally with flecks 
of reddish-brown. Breeding-season: August to January or February. 
20. Rufous Song-lark Cinclorhamphus mathewsi Iredale 
Cin-clo-rhamph'-us—Gk, cinclos ( kigklos ), bird; Gk, rhamphos, bills 
mathewsi—Gregory M. Mathews, ornithologist. 
distribution. Australia generally. 
notes. Also called Rufous-rumped Singing-lark and Skylark. Arrives 
in New South Wales and Victoria during the latter end of August, 
departs again in February. It is a beautiful songster, with rich, sweet, 
musical notes, usually uttered as the bird soars high in the air or 
flies from tree to tree. Food: insects, mostly procured on the ground. 
nest. Cup-shaped, composed of dried grasses; lined with finer grasses, 
and horse hair when available; it is built in a depression in the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, pure white to reddish and faint purplish-white, 
almost obscured with freckles, dots, or small irregular-shaped markings 
of reddish or purplish-brown which predominate at the larger end. 
Breeding-season: September to January (New South Wales). 
