532 PASSERIFORMES CHAP. 



the middle. The variable metatarsus is very strong in the 

 larger forms, and much weaker in the Prionopinae ; it is perhaps 

 shortest in the Malaconotinae, 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 

 TelepJionus 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, Telephones, PtererytJirius, some species of Lanius, and 

 still more Urolestes, where the two median rectrices are excep- 

 tionally elongated. Falcunculus and Oreoeca have well-developed 

 erectile crests ; Ehectes, 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. Kictal 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. GymnorTiininae. The remarkable red and black 

 Pityriasis gymnocepliala inhabits Borneo ; the black and white 

 GymnorJiina 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. liyperleuca 

 of Tasmania is called the Organ - bird, as Cyplwrliinus (p. 

 522) is in Amazonia. The eggs vary from brown to whitish, 



