J&oidd/kKGBichter, d el et Itth.
ARTAMUS MELANOPS, Goulcl.
Black-faced Wood-Swallow.
Artamus melanops, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1865, p. 198.—Id. Handb. Birds of Aust., vol. i. p. 149.
“ T h is fine species is unlike every other known member of the genus. It is most nearly allied to Artamus
albwentris, but differs from that bird in the jet-black colouring of its under tail-coverts, and from A. cinereus
in its smaller size and the greater extent of the black on the face. The specimen from which my description
was taken has been kindly sent to me by Mr. S. White, of the Reed-beds, near Adelaide, South Australia,
who informs me that it was shot by him at St. a Becket’s Pool, lat. 28° 30', on the 23rd of August, 1863, and
who, in the notes accompanying it, says, ‘I have never seen this bird south. It collects at night, like A . sordidus,
and utters the same kind of call. It seems to be plentiful all over the north country, and particularly about
Chamber’s Creek and Mount Margaret. It feeds on the ground, soars high, and clings in bunches like the
others. The two sexes appeared to be very similar in outward appearauce; but the young are much
speckled with dusky brown, particularly on the back.’ ”
Since the above paragraph appeared in the first volume of my ‘ Handbook to the Birds of Australia,’
several other specimens have been kindly forwarded to me by Mr. G. F. Waterhouse, Curator of the Museum
of the South Australian Institute at Adelaide, in a note accompanying which that gentleman says:—
“ In compliance with your wish, I forward herewith by return of post some specimens of Artamus melanops
lately received from a friend located about 300 miles north of this place, who informs me that they make
their appearance in large numbers about August, and remain for a month or six weeks, after which they
become scarce.”
The preceding brief passages comprise all that is at present known respecting the Artamus melanops.
Lores, face, rump, and under tail-coverts black; stripe over the eye, ear-coverts, sides of the face, and
throat greyish buff, increasing in depth on the chest so as to form a well-marked band; untjer surface delicate
vinous grey; two middle tail-feathers black, the remainder black largely tipped with white; upper
surface of the wings grey, their under surface white ; bill leaden grey, darkest at the tip ; feet blackish
brown.
The figures are of the natural size.