42 
AKTAM1DJE. 
Tlie two remaining eggs are similar to those of the southern 
representative A. azurea, being rounded in form, pearly white, 
and the texture of the shell fine and very glossy. Length (A) 
087 x 0 - 73 inch ; (B) 0*85 x0*74 inch. {From the A ust. Mus. Coll. 
North, P.L.S., iV.S. IT., 2nd Series, Vol. iii., pt. i, 1888.) 
Hah. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington, 
41 ulf of Carpentaria, Cape York. (Ramsay.) 
Family ARTAMID.ZE. 
ARTAMUS SORDIDTJS, Latham, 
Wood Swallow. 
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Ausl., Yol. i., sp. 73, p. 143. 
This bird makes a round, and rather inclined to cup-shaped 
nest of roots, lined neatly inside with grasses, three and a-half 
inches across and two inches in depth, outside measurement. 1 
have found it breeding in all parts of Victoria, during September 
to January, placing its nest in every conceivable position, 
sometimes in the dead branches of a fallen tree, on the side of 
the trunk of a tree, held in position by a projecting piece of bark, 
or occasionally between bare forked limbs. 
Its eggs are three or four in number and are subject to much 
variation in their markings. 
Var. A. Ground colour dull white, spotted with pale brown, 
dark brown, and brownish black markings, particularly at the 
larger end. Average length of specimens 087 x 0'G6 inch. 
Taken at Dobroyde, September 19th, 1862 (E.P.R.) 
Var. B. Ground colour almost pure white, with a number of 
round black spots confined to the huger end where they form a 
zone. Average length of set of three 0'9. r > x 0 - G7 inch. Taken 
at Gardington, September 1868, by Mr. James Ramsay. 
Var. C. A most unusally marked set. Ground colour creamy 
white with large irregular shaped blotches of reddish- and brownish- 
black. Average size of a set of three, length 0'87 x 0*68 inch. 
Taken at Hastings, Victoria, November 23rd 1883. (A.J.N.) 
