OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 91 



BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE 



(Blue Jay, Blue Pigeon), 

 Oraiicaliis melanops, GUI. 



Grd'ka-lus mel -a-nops. 

 Orancalus, a perversion of graculus, a jackdaw; melas, black; ops, a 



face. 



Graucalus melanofs, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., vol. ii., pi. 55. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. 



Key to the Species. — Adult — Upper surface grey; throat, sides of 

 face, feathers round eye, and forehead black; fore-neck and breast 

 grey, shading into white on abdomen and under tail coverts. Bill 

 broad, measured at gape equals outer toe without claw; culmen, 

 1 inch. 



Young — Throat and forehead grey. 



The graceful wave-like flight of this species will always 

 attract our eyes w^hen the bird is upon the wing, or, if at 

 rest, the composed posture and quiet chatter of one or more 

 of the family are sure to interest us. 



Upon their return, in September, from the migratory tour, 

 the flock plays very much among the trees, passing from one 

 to another with the gentlest of manners, till the party breaks 

 up for the purpose of nest-building, and, possibly, more 

 serious thoughts. 



The birds then become sedately quiet, and one will remain 

 upon a branch for hours, while its sitting mate is upon the 

 nest. In the heat of the day the Graucalus always rests 

 amongst the foliage. 



The notes of the bird are similar to those of the Oriole, 

 neither of which are describable, unless, as Gould has it, 

 " a peculiar purring or jarring sound, uttered several times in 

 succession, and, as a whole, given at long intervals." 



