THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 133 



If, as many of our members think, this bird will probably take 

 to a partly granivorous diet, we might easily allay any fear of 

 future trouble, in amending the table act, not troubling the "Game 

 Act," by adding it to our menu. 



24. Collared Crow-Shrike (Cracticus torquatus, Lath.), W.* 



It is very noisy with song throughout the autumn, though it 

 does not confine its desire for Box Hill canaries to this season. 

 An unfortunate Pectoral Rail was caged in the same aviary with 

 one, and, to save its skin, we parted them. The whistle is a 

 series of notes, often leading into a conversation as if for its 

 benefit only, which is quite sufficient to make a silent spectator 

 laugh, however large an "investment call" he may have paid 

 that day. In the beginning down goes the head, elevated are the 

 wings, through not spread, and with two crotchets — to make certain 

 of the throat — the " Butcher Bird " gives you the full benefit of a 

 rich, harmonious strain, and all for the walk only. One cannot 

 fail to appreciate it, even though it be short and sweet. 



On ist December, 1894, two young were taken from a nest in 

 the mistletoe, with one egg broken on ground below. The birds 

 rebuilt in another mistletoe, out of wiiich an egg was taken and 

 nest again destroyed. They again built in a third cluster of 

 mistletoe, 150 yards distant, and again two eggs were taken. 

 The three nests formed triangle points, and all were placed in 

 the parasite Loranthus. In October the majority of eggs were 

 seen. 



25. Pied Grallina (Grallina picata, Lath.)* 



This one of our three mud-nest builders is also one of the most 

 graceful of birds. The contrasted colours draw the eye at once. 

 The nest seldom is placed other than on its horizontal branch 

 position. In another district a nest was built as usual, but 

 within two feet of a fork that attracted a White-fronted Heron, 

 which I presume pleased the heron so much that it placed 

 thereon a twig nest that came in close contact with the bowl- 

 shaped nest of its neighbour. The two nests contained eggs, and 

 all appeared to work in harmony. I trust the heron did not 

 change its insectivorous diet as the young magpie larks began to 

 have a plump appearance. 



Earthen nests are generally the work of certain families ; but, 

 as an exception, there is little doubt a mud nest was built by the 

 Wood Swallow, Leucopygialis, last year at Swan Hill. Although 

 I cut down the nest and saw the swallows, the information is 

 from authentic collectors. 



On loth and 20th October clutches of each five eggs were 

 seen, and one taken. As late as last New Year's Day a salmon- 

 coloured clutch was found. 



