Art. XX. — TJie Gynuiorhincs or Australian Magpies, with 

 a description of a Neio Species. 



By A. J. Campbell. 



[Eeacl 8th November, LS94.] 



We possess little information about these familiar and favourite 

 birds, and much remains to be learnt respectino- them, while it is 

 a matter of surprise that even the knowledge of the geographical 

 range of the various species is so meagre. 



The Magpies in their attractive garbs of black and white are 

 indeed emblematical of Australians. They thrive niid adapt 

 themselves to almost any part of the continent, are strikingly 

 showy in matter of dress, musical, apt to talk, and if my 

 Australian lirethren will permit me to say so, are at times some- 

 what pert. 



It is generally accepted that there are three species or 

 varieties of the genus Gyninorliina or so called in vernacular 

 terms — Magpies, and I hope before I finish this article to prove 

 the existence of a fourth, which seems to have been overlooked 

 by previous collectors. Nothing is more delightful than the 

 study of these handsome birds in the open where I have observed 

 tlie four species. I regret now, as we so often do afterwards, 

 that I did not pay more attention to tliem when I enjoyed the 

 opportunity. 



G. tibiceu, Litham (The Black-backed Magpie). 



I think we shall tind this species ranges from the Gulf of Car- 

 pentaria district down through the interior parts of Queensland, 

 New South Wales, and Victoria to South Australia— the focus 

 of numbers being probably in South Queensland, New South 

 Wales, and tlie Lower Murray district. At early dawn the 

 beautiful piping notes of this Magpie may be heard arising from 

 various belts of timber, but the majority of the birds seldom 

 leave their roost till al)out sunrise, when they depart singly, in 

 pairs or small companies, to feed upon the plains or other open 



