INSESSORES. 107 



Fanuly LANIAD^. 

 Genus STREPERA, Lesson. 



On a careful examination of the members of this genus, it 

 will be perceived that their relationship to the Corvida, to 

 which they have been usually assigned, is very remote, their 

 size and colour being, in fact, the only features of resem- 

 blance ; their whole structure and economy are indeed very 

 different from those of every other known bird, except those 

 of Gymnorhina and Cradicus, with which genera, in my 

 opinion, they form a very distinct group, the natural situation 

 of which is among the Laniadce or Shrikes. 



Most of the species are peculiar to Australia, and strictly 

 confined to the southern portion of that continent, their 

 range being limited to the country comprised within the 25th 

 and 40th degrees of south latitude ; future research may, 

 however, add both to the number of species and perhaps to 

 the extent of their range ; still their great stronghold is un- 

 doubtedly the most southern portion of the Australian con- 

 tinent, the islands of Bass's Straits, and Tasmania. I have, 

 however, seen a species of this genus from Lord Howe's 

 Island which is very similar to, if not the same as S. graculina. 



These birds seek their food on or near the ground, 

 sometimes in swampy situations and even on the sea-shore, 

 at others on the most sterile plains far distant from water ; 

 grasshoppers and insects of every order are eaten by them 

 with avidity, and to these grain seeds and fruits are fre- 

 quently added; they hop with remarkable agility over the 

 broken surface of the ground, and leap from branch to branch 

 with great alacrity : their flight is feeble and protracted, and 

 they seldom mount high in the air, except for the purpose of 

 crossing a gully, or for passing from one part of the forest to 

 another, and then merely over the tops of the trees ; during 

 flight they usually utter a peculiar shrill cry, which is Ire- 



