228 INSECriVOROVs BIRDS 



As with the previous species, the generic name, terrifying 

 on first acquaintance, nic'ely explains the leading character 

 of the bird when one observes the neck mantle (nape) is 

 composed of bright lilac feathers. 



Nest. — Similar to the preceding one. 



Eggs. — Two to a sitting ; much streaked and marked 

 with blackish " hieroglyphics " over a pale greenish ground. 

 Length of an ordinary specimen, 1-5 inches; breadth, 1 

 inch. It is a handsome egg, and marks a beauty spot 

 in the magnificent collection of Australian birds' eggs in 

 the possession of Dr. Charles Ryan, 



SOOTY CROW-SHRIKE 



(Black Magpie), 



Strepera fuligiuosa, Gld. 



Strep' e-rd fu-Ii-ji-no'sd. 



Strepere, to make a noise ; ftilign, soot ; ous, an affix denoting 



"pi^esence," fulness. 



Strepera fuliginosa, Gould, " Birds of Australia," fol., vol. ii., 



pi. 43. 



Geographical Distribution.— Areas 4, 5, 6. 



Key to the Species. — General appearance sooty-black ; wing 

 quills with white tips nearly 1 "5 inches broad ; under tail 

 coverts blackish ; nostrils bare and placed high in the maxilla. 



The Strepera may be, in ordinary language, a Grey or a 

 Black Magpie, and six species must answer to one or other 

 of these names. Five are to be found in Victoria during 

 all seasons of the year, while the sixth is a Tasmanian 

 species. In Western Australia there is a sub-species of 



