12 Favourite Foreign Birds. 



keep them in health. I propose taking the latter 

 first, premising that they are all most intelligent birds 

 and susceptible of being completely tamed. 



THE WHITE-BACKED PIPING CROW, Gymnorhina 

 leuconota, is an Australian species, and is a general 

 favourite with the Colonists, by whom it is popularly 

 known as the Magpie, not only on account of its 

 susceptibility for domestication, but of the invaluable 

 services it renders to them by the destruction of 

 innumerable hosts of noxious insects, especially scor- 

 pions and monstrous centipedes, which are only a 

 shade less venomous than the former repulsive-looking 

 creatures. 



This species is stated in the list of the Zoological 

 Society to be a native of South Australia, but this is 

 too restricted a habitat, as it is common in Victoria 

 and New South Wales, and differs but slightly from 

 the Tasmanian Piping Crow, of which the same 

 authority has constituted a distinct species under the 

 name of Gymnorhina organica. 



The White-backed Piping Crow is well described 

 by its English name : it is a fine bird about the size 

 of our Carrion Crow, with a strong beak of a bluish 

 colour, white back, and black body. 



Some of these birds, especially if reared by hand 

 from the nest, make most accomplished talkers, and 

 will also learn to whistle a tune or tunes, when, as 

 their voice is naturally harmonious and mellow, a very 

 fine effect is produced : the only drawback is that their 

 notes are rather too loud for the house; they are 

 very attractive, however, in the open air. 



All the Piping Crows are quite hardy, and will winter 



