30 
HUtUNDINID/E. 
Family HIRUNDINIDiE. 
Genus Hill I XDO, Linna ’ Uii . 
II ] RUN DO NEOXENA. Gould. 
(m , / rontali* , Quov et Guimard.) 
Welcome Swallow. 
Gould. 11andhl\, Ills. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 53, p. 107. 
“Although this species is strictly migratory, yet it is no easy 
tusk to determine the exact date of its arrival in the neighbourhood 
of Sydney, or its departure therefrom, owing to tho number of 
stragglers which remain with us during the whole of the year. 
1 believe however, that the visitants arrive early in July, or 
perhaps late in June, and leave us again in the end of January 
and February. After their arrival, and again just before their 
departure, they may be seen in great numbers Hying to and fro 
over the fields, and often skimming over the water-holes and 
lagoons ; but keeping very high sometimes almost out of sight, 
during the middle of the day.” 
“ l have frequently observed them, in company with the Fairy 
Martin (Lagenoplastes arid) flying over the lawn of the inner 
Domain in Sydney. Tree Swallows^ 1‘etroo/mliilou nigricans) also 
accompany this species in search of food. We met with all three 
species mixed up in one immense flock during December 1864, at 
Lake Bathurst; here they were following in our wake as we 
walked through the rushes on a small island, obtaining a rich 
feast on the small LiMIuhe, which flew up in countless numbers 
at every step we took. The pupa-cases of these insects were 
lying piled up between the rushes to the height of two, and even 
three feet, while the edges of the island at dusk were alive with 
the pupie crawling out of the water. The proper breeding season 
of Hirundo neoxena is during the months of August and throughout 
to the end of December; stragglers, however, may be found 
breeding at almost any time. I have found them building in the 
Dobroyde stables, both in the months of February and June; and 
