306 /VESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



dots appeal- here and there over the shell. An example in one clutch 

 has quite a greenish ground-colour at the smaller end only. Much 

 resembles those of C. fleftriictor, but a little larger. Dimensions in 

 inches of a proper clutch : (1) 1-29 x -93, (2) 1-25 x -92, (3) 1-23 x -94. 



Oh.'<ervations. — The Grey or Cinereus Butclier Bird is a sub-species, 

 and the representative of the common Butcher Bird in Tasmania. It 

 would be interesting to learn how the bu'd ever came to be called a 

 Derwent " Jackass." Even now the mainland species is frequently 

 called by that name. 



During my Tasmanian excursion in the season of 1883, I was 

 fortunate enough to take two nests on the 9th and 12th October 

 respectively, with three eggs each of the local Butcher Bird. Its native 

 notes appeared to me if possible to sound deeper and rounder than the 

 song of the mainland bii'd. 



248. — Cracticls ment.\i.is, Salvadori. 

 C spahlitigi, Masters. 



SPALDING BUTCHER BIRD. 



Reference. — Cat, Birds Brit. Mus., vol. viii., p 102. 



Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory, also New Guinea. 



Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed. 



Ob.?ervations. — According to the British Museimr " Catalogue," this 

 Butcher Bird most resembles C. argeiiteus. The first reputed specimen 

 obtained on the Continent was shot at or near Port Darwin, 1877, by 

 Mr. Ed. Spalding, and was described by Mr. George Masters, of the 

 Macleayan Museum. If C. meiitalis be really an Australian species, 

 it is somewhat strange it has not been recorded for North Queensland, 

 as it has been found on the opposite coast of New Guinea. 



249. — Cracticus rufescens, De Vis. 

 RUFOUS BUTCHER BIRD. 



Figure. — Gould-Sharpe : Birds of New Guinea, vol. iii-, pi. 16 

 Reference. — Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales, vol. vii., p. 562 

 Previous Description of Eggs.—V.OTih Proc. Linn. Soc , N S 

 vol. xxii., p. 56 (1897). 



Geographiral Distrihution. — North Queensland. 



