20 Wkinporfkr AM) Francis, ]\'i/(l Life in Tasmania, [voi'^xxxvil 



Its skin, wliich scorns to ho free of vermin, is, when tanned, 

 very attractive, and is sometimes used in the manufacture of 

 rugs. Its wholesale price is about 6d. apiece, but, like all 

 furs, it will sooner or later rise in value, and tlie animal wHll 

 then rt'c(uve more attention. 



The Sooty Crow-Shrike or Black Jay, Strepera fuligi- 

 xosA. Gould. 



No visitor to the Tasmanian highlands will fail to remember 

 the harsh cry of the Mountain Jays, their fearless behaviour 

 towards the intruders on their happy mountain home, and 

 their inquisitiveness towards ever^-thing out of the common. 

 No other living thing is so characteristic of the Tasmanian 

 highlands as this interesting bird, which is to be seen and heard 

 everywhere — in the open gum forests, on the wide grass\- 

 plains, near the shores of the lakes, and amongst the wind- 

 swept rocks of the highest altitudes. 



The Sooty Crow-Shrike belongs to a giouj) which is restricted 

 to Australia, Tasmania, and Lord Howe Island, and placed at 

 the head of the bird world. The birds live in flocks, and com- 

 mence i-ach season with a general meeting about August or 

 September, which the observers have termed the " pre-nesting 

 corroboree." On this occasion different units will congregate 

 in certain places, and, mostly keeping to the ground, will for 

 days voice their political and social views in an endless chatter 

 f>f an ear-piercing chaiacter. After different views have been 

 voiced anfl settled, the mating for the breeding season takes 

 place in a peaceful way, the mob disperses, and the individual 

 pairs take up their respective positions. But here a com- 

 munistic government still seems to be in force, as is evidenced 

 by the presence of a leader, whose voice, distinct from the rest, 

 may be first heard at early dawn in a soft and somewhat 

 melodious sounding " Ghiglia - glag - glag - glag." On some 

 mornings there will be no answer, and in a renewed and higher 

 tone the reveille will sound again. From afar the first faint 

 answcf will reach the observer's ear, another one will come 

 from a different direction, and in a very short time every bird 

 will have announced the beginning of another day. 



During the nesting season there is no overcrowding ; every 

 pair keeps strictly io a certain locality, and when the time is 

 ripe will begin the building of its nest. This mainly consists 

 of a few sticks and twigs, so casually stuck together on a fork 

 oi a tree that it is a wonder that later on, in stormy weather, 

 the young birds manage to remain in it. The bedding is of 

 the scantiest possible nature unless it happens to be a coujilc 

 of handkfrchicfs acquir«'d from the bleaching-ground of one of 

 llie observers. Tin- ntst will never be built in the heart of 



