3C4 .VESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



245. — Cracticus aroenteus, Gould. — (97) 

 SILVEErBACKED BUTCHER BIRD. 



Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol., vol.ii pi. 51 

 Reference.— Ca.t. Birds Brit. Mus , vol. viii.. p. gg. 



Geof/rnphiraf Bixtrihution. — North-west Australia and Northern 

 Territory. 



Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed. 



Observations. — Gould described and named this Butcher Bird from an 

 example obtained by Mr. B. Bynoe on the northern coast. The bird is 

 happily named nr(]eiifeu-<<. on accoxmt of the silver-grey colouring of the 

 back, which distinguishes it from all the other members of the group. 

 Doubtless in its nidification it resembles those of its fine family. 



246. — Cracticus destructor, Temminck. — (99) 

 C. torquatus, Lath. 



BUTCHER BIRD. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii.. pi. 52 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol viii., p. 100. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs — Gould : Birds of Australia (1848) ; also 



Handbook, vol i p 185 (1865) ; North: Aust Mus. Cat., p. 61 



(1889). 



Geographical Dint ri})ut inn. — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria 

 and South Australia. 



Nest. — Open, basin-shaped, compactly constructed of fine dead twigs, 

 lined with dry yellowish grass or with rootlets, ca.suarina needles, &c., 

 and usually situated well up in the forked branches of trees, in mistletoe 

 clusters, &c. Dimensions over all, 7 inches by 3i inches in depth ; egg 

 cavity, 3f inches across by 2+ inches deep. (See illustration.) 



J5'.r/r/.«. — Clutch, three to five ; roundish oval in shape ; texture of 

 shell fine ; surface glcssv ; colour varies, sometimes in the same clutch, 

 usuallv grevish or light-brown, spotted with roddish-brown and dull- 

 slate, the majority of the markings fonning a patch on or around the 

 npcx. Dimensions in inches of a somewhat small-sized clutch : 

 (1) 1-13 X -86, (2) 1-13 X -85, (3) 1-06 x -84. (Plate 12.) 



OhxervntioDx. — The common Butcher Bird may be said to enjoy a 

 good range, including the States from Northern Queensland roimd to 

 South Australia. The Butcher Bird may be described as possessing a 

 dark coat, with the underneath surface gi-eyish-white ; the head is 



