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 ariel Gould 
Hy-lo-chel-i'-don—G k, hyle, wood; Gk, c/ielidon, swallow: ar-i'-el— Gk, 
aerios, airy; ariel , a fairy, sprite. 
distribution. Australia and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Bottle Swallow, Cliff Swallow, and Land Swallow, 
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 through¬ 
out 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 arc 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—la., 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 Aus¬ 
tralia, 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 
sheltered caves. 
eggs. Four or five, w f hite, 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 leucosterna Gould 
Cher-am-ccc'-a— Gk, cheramos , cleft; Gk, oicos , house: leuc-o-stern'-a— 
Gk, leucos , white; Gk, sternon, breast. 
distribution. Australia generally. 
notes. Also called Black-and-White Swallow, White-breasted Swal* 
