THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
188 
PLATE XXVII 
SOME BIRDS OF THE AIR AND OPEN SPACES 
1. Little Wood-swallow Artomus minor Vieillot 
Ar-tam-us —Gk, artamos, butcher: mi-nor —L., minor , smaller. 
Distribution . —Australia (except the southern portion) ; also occurs 
in Timor. 
Notes. —Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting the plains, chiefly 
those studded with low trees; also the rugged ranges of the interior and 
northern parts. This species is very similar in habits and economy to the 
Dusky Wood-swallow. 
Nest. —An open, cup-shaped structure of twigs and plant-stems, lined 
with rootlets; placed in the end of a hollow limb, in a cavity in the trunk 
of a tree, or in clefts of cliffs. Often the nest consists only of a scanty 
lining of materials placed in a hollow. 
EQ9 s ' Usually three, dull white, spotted and blotched, chiefly at the 
larger end, with shades of brown and underlying markings of slaty-grey. 
Breeding-season: October to January. 
2. Dusky Wood-swallow Artamus cyanopterus Latham 
cy-an-op'-ter-us—Gk, cyanos , blue; Gk, pteron, wing. 
Distribution.— -Australia (except tropical northern Australia), Tas- 
mania, and the islands of Bass Strait. 
t t Also called Sordid Wood-swallow, Martin, and Jacky Martin. 
i R J fl ln B airs o 1 flocks, frequenting the open spaces in forest country 
if y. ceaiec * l an ds. It also frequents orchards and gardens, where 
i:i aril m n reuse a mourn of good in destroying insect pests of various 
m SpeC i 6S ° f Wood-swallows, its flight is swift and 
f ees ' Vht the habit of roostmg clustered together, like a swarm of 
insects of vn -j m , b °i5 V”*’ es P eciall y during very cold weather. Food: 
insects of various kinds, procured on the wing. 
lined^with cl j 1 f > ‘ s h a P e d structure, composed of thin, dried twigs; 
in a thick forkeri V r °f ) 1 t Ct f’ anc occasionally horse-hair. Usually placed 
bark on a tree frunk 'Vr on^o^ 'f SOm f times insid . e a Projecting piece of 
more from the ground. t p f a stum P’ at heights up to 40 feet or 
chiefly^Te r iSer° r end Ur, -iT hite °'' cream ywhite, spotted and blotched, 
markings, and of fen with V fi rY !? g sh ades of brown, black, and grey 
to January. h weII - defin ed zones. Breeding-season: September 
