OF VICTORIA. 199 



BUTCHER-BIRD 



(Whistling Jack, Collared Crow-Shrike), 



Cracticiis destructor, Tcmm. 



Krak'ti-kus de-struk' tor . 

 Krahtikos, noisy ; destriiclor, destroyer. 



Ceacticus destructor, Gould, " Birds of Australia," fol., vol. ii., 



pi. 52. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9. 



Key to the Species. — Throat white; back grey ; flanks and sides 

 of upper breast greyish white ; bill strong and well hooked ; 

 _ culmen 1 '25 to 1 '5 inches in length ; nostrils longitudinal slits 

 about the middle of the bill. 



Altogether nine Butcher-birds are found in Australia. 

 The present species and the other Victorian bird are the 

 most common of the genus. C. nigrigularis occurs in the 

 dry parts about Echuca and Swan Hill. The magpie is 

 the nearest relation to the Butcher-bird, but one is much 

 more insectivorous than the other. When named Lanius 

 in the first meeting, it was well called so, as it is a true 

 butcher in so far as it hangs up little birds (Silver-eyes, &c.) 

 within forked branches and proceeds at once to dismember 

 them, one at a time, to satisfy its appetite. At a later 

 date the generic name was changed to Cracticus (noisy). 

 This not only indicated one means of recognizing the bird, 

 but in addition removed the delicate subject of bird- 

 destroyer from it. That was well, because vermin and 

 beetles form a very large portion of its food. In autumn 

 the bird is garrulous, and has a musical and rich liquid 

 note. That Butcher-birds are pugnacious is quite evident 

 to me. I know of three that tried to fight their shadows in 

 water and finally got drowned. I am sorry to say so, but 



