2g8 A'ESTS AXD IlGGS 01- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



At Goraldton, Champion Bay, I had an opportunity of exaiuming 

 a veiy fine female bird in a state of domestication. By the way, she 

 rejoiced in the name of " Jacob." She was an intensely amusing bird 

 and full of mischievous glee. I should have mentioned that, although 

 the native notes of the western Magpie resemble those of its eastern 

 congeners, the western type sems to lack that liilaiity of song so notice- 

 able in both the eastern birds. 



September, October, and November constitute the chief breeding 

 months. 



In the report of the " Birds Collected by the Calvert Explormg 

 Expedition " (Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., vol xxii., p. 173), Mr. G. A. 

 Keai-tland states that at Lake Way, on the 12th July, 1896, three Black- 

 backed Magpies were seen, and a few days subsequently others were noted ; 

 and whilst in the train, between Fremaulle and Perth, Air. G. L. Jones 

 di-ew his atteutiou on sevei'al occasions to White-backed Magpies perched 

 on the trees near the railway Une. Of coui'se the forms of Magpies in 

 the field ai'e much alike, therefore it is a pity Mr. Keartland was unable 

 to handle one of these birds, or, better still, been able to bring back 

 a skin ; then he might have been convinced, as I was, that these Western 

 Magpies were referable to neither of the species he mentions, but to 

 the Long-billed variety, I noticed in 1889, and had carefully compared 

 with examples of Magpies from various parts of Austraha and Tasmania. 

 As the various Magpies in their showy and atti-active garbs of simple 

 black and white are so much alike, I subjoin detailed descriptions of the 

 birds : — 



Gymnorhina tihicen. Adult male. — Glossy bluish-black, except por- 

 tions of the under pari:.s and pi-imaries, which are of a more brownish 

 tinge ; nape and hind neck, upper and under vring coverts, edge of wing, 

 upper and under tail coverts, tail except a broad terminal band 

 and outer web of either of the outermost feathers) and vent, white. 

 Bill, bluish-white, graduating through blue horn coloui- into bluish-black 

 at the tip ; irides, light hazel ; legs, black. Adult female. — Differs in 

 possessing a more brownish tinge throughout the black plumage, and by 

 having the nape and hind neck, and lower back gi'ey instead of white. 

 Young. — Most resemble the female, with the dark portions of the plumage 

 brownish-black. 



Gymnnrhinii leuconota. Adult male. — Black gener'aUy, more glossy 

 on some portions, and brownish tinged on other parts, except nape and 

 hind neck, back, upper and under wing coverts, edge of wing, upper and 

 under tail covcils, tail (except the tenninal band and outer web of eitlier 

 of the outenno'st feathers) and vent, white. Bill bluish-white, gi-adua- 

 ting through bluish-slate into bluish-black at the tip ; irides, light hazel ; 

 legs, black. Advdt female. — Differs in having the back portions of the 

 plumage not so intense in coloiu-, and by having back of neck and back 

 grey ; some of the feather shafts, particularly on the back, showing a fine 

 dark stripe. Young (from the nest). — Most I'csemble the female. About 

 tliree' dozen birds had, excepting blie head, the dark portion of the plimiage 

 msty-brown, with whitish napes, and in one or two conspicuous instances 

 rusty-coloured and greyish mottled backs. 



