THE HARMONIOUS OR GREY SHRIKE THRUSH. 173 



CHAPTER C. 



THE HARMONIOUS, OR GREY SHRIKE, THRUSH. 

 ( Collyriocincla harmonica, Gould.) 



This is a common and widely distributed species, and is 

 a great destroyer of insects of various kinds, and should 

 be protected by all orchardists and others interested in our 

 fruit-growing industry, also by the general public. The 

 well-known note of this bird is familiar to all lovers of 

 the bush and its bird-life, and is always welcome. The 

 Harmonious Thrush is found in many parts of Victoria, 

 New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia, 

 its melodious note being frequently heard, especially in 

 heavily timbered country near mountains, in country 

 bordering on creeks, and also in the drier districts of 

 the Mallee. This bird is of a most sociable disposition, 

 and may be frequently seen in the gardens near to the 

 Metropolis, when it becomes fairly tame. 



The nest of this species, which is usually placed in 

 the fork of a tree close to a creek, is round, the outside 

 being formed of strips of bark (stringy bark for 

 preference), and lined inside with rootlets, the average 

 size of the nest measuring six inches externally, and 

 five inches in depth. Nests are occasionally placed in 

 hollow stumps of trees, between the forks of small trees, 

 and sometimes among debris close to the ground. Mr. 

 A. J. Campbell states that, not infrequently, this Shrike 

 Thrush builds in the deserted nest of some other bird. 

 Nidification usually takes place during August, 

 September, October, and November. 



Mr. A. J. North states that the eggs are deposited on 

 successive days, and full sets of fresh eggs are not 

 uncommon in the last week in August. Mr. North also 



