OF SOUTH E EN AUSTRALIA. 



THE MAGPIES. 



The Australian Magpie differs widely from its European 

 namesake ; indeed, the name as applied to the Australian 

 species is somewhat of a misnomer, its correct name being 

 " Crow-Shrike." The appellation " Magpie " was bestowed 

 on the bird by the early settlers, who saw in the Crow- Shrike 

 certain external resemblances to the " 'Pie " of the English 

 countryside. In deference to popular opinion, I shall retain 

 the commonly accepted title. 



The Crow is the Magpie's next of kin, both ap];arertly 

 having arisen from a common stock. 



Young Magpies are unHke their parents iv: colour, being a 

 uniform brownish-black. On the theory that the history of 

 the race is epitomized in the development of the young, this 

 would seem to point to a time in the past history of the 

 Magpie group when, in place of the thirteen species or 

 varieties at present known, there existed only one brownish- 

 black form, the ancestor of the whole group. Through a slow 

 process of evolution, extending over a lengthened period of 

 time, and involving endless change of circumstances, the 

 Magpies of to-day have descended from this brownish-black 

 species. 



The Bush-Larks offer a good example of the mxanner in 

 which evolution works among our southern birds. Those 

 inhabiting the grassed lands of the coasts are greyish-brown 

 in colour. If we examine those found in the desert country 

 of the interior we shall find that a great change has taken 

 place ; the birds have adapted themselves to the colour of 

 the surrounding soil, whatever colour that may be. Thus, on 

 rufous soil the prevailing tint of the Bush-Lark is rufous, and 

 on grey soil grey. The. primary object of this change of 



