IDICÆÏITM MlRUJNBIWACEUJM.
DICÆUM HIRUNDINACEUM.
Swallow Dicæum.
Sylvia hirmdinacea, Shaw, Nat. Misc., vol. iv. pi. 114.—Lath. Ind. Om. Supp., p. lv.
Swallow Warbler, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 250.—Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. x. p. 613.
Pipra Desmaretii, Leach, Zool. Misc., vol. i. p. 94. pi. 41.
Crimson-throated Honey-sucker, Lewin, Birds of New Holl., pi. 7.
Desmaretian Manakin, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. x. p. 1 8—Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vii. p. 240.
Dicæum atrogaster, Less. Traité d’Ora., p. 303.
Moo-ne-jë-tang., Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Australia.
By far the greater number o f the colonists of Australia are, I am sure, totally Unacquainted with this
beautiful little bird, yet there, is scarcely an estate in either o f the colonies in which it may not be found as
a permanent resident o r an occasional v isito r: a closer examination o f the birds, and other natural objects
with which we are most nearly surrounded, would a t all times repay with interest the trouble of their
investigation.
The natural disposition of this species leading it to confine itself almost exclusively to the topmost
branches o f the loftiest trees, is doubtless the cause o f its not being more generally observed; its rich
scarlet breast, so. strongly contrasting with the other parts o f its plumage, not even attracting notice at the
distance from the ground at which it generally k eeps; and, in obtaining specimens, I was more frequently
made aware of its presence by its pretty warbling song than by its movements among the branches ; so smalL
an object, in fact, is most difficult o f detection among the thick foliage of the lofty Casuarincs, to which trees
it is extremely partial, particularly to those growing on the banks of creeks and rivers. It is also frequently
to be seen among the branches o f the beautiful parasite figured in the accompanying Plate : this charming
Loranthus was gathered at Dartbrook, on the Upper Hunter, where it is very common on the Casuarince.
Whether the bird is attracted to this misseltoe-like parasite, like many others, for the purpose o f feeding
upon its sweet and juicy berries, I could not fully make out; its chief food is insects, but in all probability
it may partially feed on these fruits also.
The Swallow Dicmum has neither the actions o f the Pardalotes nor of the Honey-eaters ; it differs from
the former in its quick darting flight, and from the latter in its less prying, clinging, and creeping actions
among the leaves, &c! When perched on a branch it sits more upright, and is more Swallow-like in its
contour than either of the forms alluded t o ; the structure o f its nest and the mode o f its nidification are
also very dissimilar.
Its song is a very animated and long-continued strain, but is uttered so inwardly, that it is almost necessary
to stand beneath the tree upon which the bird is perched, before its notes can be heard.
It would appear that the range of this species extends to. all parts of the Australian continent, since I
have received specimens from every locality yet explored by Europeans. I found it breeding on the Lower
Namoi,' which proves that the interior of the country is inhabited by it as well as those portions between the
ranges and the coast.
Its beautiful purse-like nest, o f which the drawing will give a far better idea than the most minute
description, is composed of the white cotton-like substance found in the seed-vessels of many plants, and
amon» other trees is sometimes suspended on a small branch of a Casuarina, or an Acacia pendula. It
was on the latter tree that I found a nest containing three or four young: a second nest with the eggs
was o-iven to me in Sydney. The ground-colour o f the eggs is dull white, with very minute spots of brown
scattered over the surface ; they are nine lines long by five and a half lines broad.
The male has the head, all the upper surface, wings and tail black, glossed with steel-blue ; primaries
black • throat, breast, and under tail-coverts scarlet; flanks dusky; abdomen white, with a broad patch ot
black down the centre ; irides dark brown ; bill blackish brown ; feet dark brown.
The female is dull black above, glossed with steel-blue on the wings and ta il; throat and centre o f the
abdomen buff; flanks light brown; under tail-coverts pale scarlet.
The figures are of the natural size, on a branch of the Loranthus above mentioned, which I believe to be
an undescribed species.