404 A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF THE MUDGEE DISTRICT, 



species has it too. Local names, " Rain-bird " and " Grey 

 Magpie." Its call is supposed to be a prognostic of coming wet 

 weather. 



38. Gymnorhina tibicen, Lath. 



A few nest in August, and we have known them begin as early 

 as July 17 th, but the greater proportion lay in October, A nest 

 was taken at Springfield composed of the cut wire used by reaping 

 and binding machines. They sing as much in autumn and winter 

 as when nesting. Many do not breed every year, as we have 

 noticed a flock of about 20 near the house always at Cullenbone. 

 During the present autumn it increased to about 70. We have 

 known them attack and kill old quail, and they frequently make 

 a meal of young swallows. When washing, they wade into the 

 water and stand in it flapping their wings. 



39. Cracticus torquatus, Lath. 



We have never known this bird impale its prey as the English 

 shrike does, and indeed we have so few shrubs with strong thorns 

 that it would find it difficult in most places to do so ; but we have 

 frequently observed it hanging its food in a fork. We have noted 

 eggs from September 17th to middle of November, but as we have 

 a note of young birds just fledged on September 1 4th, it must lay 

 much earlier. Known as " Butcher-bird." 



40. Cracticus robustus. Lath. 



This handsome species is capricious in its occurrence. For 

 some years they were common at Springfield, 3 miles east of 

 Guntawang ; these suddenly disappeared and were seen no more 

 there. A flock of 7 lived about Beaudesert for a few weeks, and 

 then left. One pair has lived for many years on a basaltic point 

 at Guntawang. It is a daring bird, and attacks other birds even 

 full grown. We once saw one killing an Artamus sordidus, a 

 number of magpies, peewits, and soldier-birds looking on but not 

 daring to interfere. In captivity it is dainty in its eating, and 

 will not touch raw meat unless it is perfectly fresh and moist. It 



