WHITE-BACKED MAGPIE OR CROW SHRIKE. 149 



CHAPTER CXXXVIII. 



White-backed Magpie or Crow Shrike. 

 (Gymnorhina leuconota, Gould.) 



The White-backed Magpie or Crow Shrike is a fearless, 

 aggressive, but easily domesticated bird, and is a great 

 destroyer of underground grubs, locusts, grasshoppers, 

 &c. A very long experience of this bird, and also with 

 the black-backed species, has convinced me that, as a rule, 

 the farmer can well afford to take these fine birds under 

 his special protection. Their grain-eating propensities are 

 well known, and the old-time clapper formerly used for 

 frightening these birds, as well as parrots and sulphur- 

 crested cockatoos, from the crops is still in the memory 

 of the writer. 



Both of the magpies are so well known to most that 

 our plate of one of them may be considered sufficient, the 

 economy of both being much alike. It is a singular fact, 

 noticed by many observers, that there would appear to be a 

 line of geographical demarcation between the habits of these 

 two valuable insect-destroying birds. The white-backed 

 species is found mostly south of the Dividing Range, 

 while the black-backed one is found north of these moun- 

 tains. Both are equally bold, resolute, and aggressive, 

 and, though highly recommended as pets, the writer 

 cannot agree with all that has been stated as to their 

 qualifications in this respect, more especially in cases 

 where young children are concerned. The note of the 

 Magpie is simply delightful, and is one of the many 

 pleasures of country or bush life in Australia. 



Gould says, " The white-backed species is more wary 

 and shyer in disposition than the black-backed species." 

 This is hardly my experience, but the note in the white- 

 backed species is certainly louder than that of the more 



