300 .VASTS AXD LGGS OF AUSTRALIAN lilh-DS. 



Xesl. — Resembles that of the Black-throated Butcher Bird (V. iiiyri- 

 ijularis) ; composed outwardly of twigs, lined inside with rootlets, and 

 usually situated in the forked branches of a tree, in scnib or in open forest. 



litjijs. — Clutch, three usually, four occasionally; stout oval in form; 

 texture of shell somewhat fine; surface glossy; colour, beautiful gi'eyish- 

 green, sparingly but boldly marked with rovmcUsh spots and blotches of 

 sepia or lunber, and a few markings of dull-slate. The majority of the 

 marldugs are about the apex, and some have the edges softened oil 

 penumbra-like. These eggs, excepting that they are smaller, resemble a 

 type (c) described for the Giimnorhince. (Magpies). Dimensions in 

 inches of a proper clutch: (1) 14 x 1-0, (2) 1-35 x 98, (3) 1-33 x -89. 

 (;Plate 12.) 



Another type resembles that of the Black-throated Butcher Bird 

 {C. niijriytdaris) : (1) r4 x '77, (2) 1-27 x ■92. In a beautiful set of 

 four in the collection of JMr. Dudley Lc Souef, the examples are not 

 unlike small Crow's eggs, both in colour and character of marlungs. 



Observations. — ^Some years ago I received from the late Dr, Kutter 

 a single example of the egg of the Black or Quoy Butcher Bird, from the 

 Am Islands. I was under the impression that the eggs from Austraha 

 had been described until I foiuid to the contrary, when recently working 

 up notes on the nests and eggs of the genus. 



Mr. K. Broadbent's observations about the Black Butcher Bird are 

 that " It is found in the Cardwell Scrubs, and is distinctly a scrub bird, 

 only inhabiting the thickest parts near the rivers. It is an accomplished 

 whistler, with a veiy deep note, and is extremely shy, being only seen 

 flitting across from covert to covert. This bird is not found far south 

 of the Herbert River. I have procured it at Cooktown, but do not know 

 of its occurrence further north. This Crow Slirike is also recorded from 

 the Northern Tenitory of South Australia, though it is a ciuious fact 

 that 1 have never seen it in the Gulf of Carpentaaia, notvxdthstanding my 

 somewhat lengthy &ojom-ns in that district. I should give its habitat 

 as from the Herloert River to Cooktown, that is, its Queensland habitat." 



To Messrs. D. Le Souef and W. B. Barnard I am indebted for 

 specimens, or notes from personal observations on the nicUfication of this 

 fine northern species. Mr. Le Sovief informs me that during his visit to 

 the Bloomfield River district of Northern Queensland, he noticed a pair 

 of Black Butcher Birds frequently in a patch of scrub, but they were shy, 

 and he did not often get a near view, although their clear liquid notes 

 were often heard, either singly or in concei-t. However, after careful 

 observation for some time, the hen was seen to fly into a thick leafy tree, 

 and there remain. Mr. Le Souef made his way through the scrub 



towards the tree, and when a short distance off saw the bird fly away. 

 The nest was soon discovered, but had it not been for seeing the bird fly 

 off, the nest and its handsome eggs would probably have been missed, 

 so thick was the leafy covert. The nest was situated about thirty feet 

 from the ground, in a fork made by a fairly thick bough branching from 

 the parent stem. The eggs, three in number, were slightly incubated. 

 Date: 23rd October, 1894. A second nest was found 4tli November, 



