PASSERIFORMES CHAP. 
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ios) 
to 
the middle. The variable metatarsus is very strong in the 
larger forms, and much weaker in the Prionopinae ; it is perhaps 
shortest in the Jalaconotinae, where—as in all the Family—the 
scutes tend more or less to fuse. In Calicalicus and Nicator the 
basal joints of the third and fourth toes are united. The wings 
—usually moderate—may be very long and pointed, as in Gym- 
norhina and Pityriasis, or abbreviated and much rounded, as in 
Telephonus and Laniarius ; the rather short tail is rarely emargi- 
nate, but frequently has acuminate feathers; while it may be 
square or rounded, or at times graduated, as in Laniarius, Laniellus, 
Paeoptera, Telephonus, Ptererythrius, some species of Lanius, and 
still more Uvolestes, where the two median rectrices are excep- 
tionally elongated. Falewneulus and Oreoeca have well-developed 
erectile crests ; Rhectes, Sigmodus, Pseudorhectes, and Melanorhectes 
also exhibit lengthened head-plumes ; Platylophus has these feathers 
broad and extraordinarily long; while Prionops has in addition 
frontal feathers overhanging the nostrils. Pityriasis has a bare 
yellow crown, the ear-coverts and lower throat being covered by 
brown bristles with red bases: Leptopterus, Prionops, and Sigmodus 
have a fleshy wattle round the eye.  Rictal and nasal hairs may be 
highly developed or absent. The sexes are generally similar, except 
in the Pachycephalinae, and to some extent in the Prionopinae. 
Sub-fam. 1. Gymnorhininae.—The remarkable red and black 
Pityriasis gymnocephala imbhabits Borneo; the black and white 
Gymnorhina Australia, with Tasmania; the black, white, and grey 
Strepera the same countries, Cracticus Papuasia also. Gymnorhina 
and Cracticus have the beak bluish-white. Strepera occurs in parties 
in open wooded districts or swamps, feeding chiefly upon the ground 
on insects, their larvae, and a little fruit; while it runs, hops, or 
leaps from branch to branch with great agility, but generally flies 
low and feebly. It is a bold bird with a shrill, ringing, oft- 
repeated cry. The nest, as large as that of a Crow, is placed in 
the fork of a low tree, and is formed of sticks and twigs with a 
lining of bark, grass, leaves, wool, or hair; three or four pale choco- 
late- or reddish-brown eggs, with faint red or lilac markings, 
-being deposited.  Gymnorhina, the Piping Crow, resembles 
Strepera in habits, though its single, clear notes are somewhat 
different, and it can be taught to whistle or mimic. G. hyperleuca 
of Tasmania is called the Organ- bird, as Cyphorhinus (p. 
522) is in Amazonia. The eggs vary from brown to whitish, 
