254 



THE USEFUL BIRDS 



Shrike is not a carrion-eater. Its relationship to the Shrike is 

 more remote still, held only through the medium of the 

 Magpie {Gymnorhina). 



The Strepera Hves very largely on insect food, but it also 

 causes considerable annoyance to the orchardist. All Black 

 and Grey Magpies are excellent eating, so, when killed, they 

 should never be wasted. 



Nestlings of Black- winged CVow-Slirike. 



Dr. James Norton, writing in the Agricultural Gazette of 

 Nev: South Wales, 1897, remarks : — " The Streperas are 

 generally classed among insectivorous birds, being, therefore, 

 presumal-ly friends of the fruit-grower, and no doubt they 

 do eat a great many insects when they can get nothing 

 more to their taste. About Springw^ood, at all events, they 

 are more destructive to fruit than all the other birds put 



