Mr. E. P. Ramsay on Birds breeding near Sydney. 301 



Var. S. Ground-colour bright light green or sky-blue when 

 first taken, but fading when kept, having irregular markings of 

 light wood-brown very sparingly dispersed over the whole surface. 

 Lengthy 18 lines ; breadth, 14 lines. 



Var. €. Ground-colour very pale sky-blue, with distinct oval 

 spots of reddish brown and obsolete spots of lilac. In some 

 specimens the spots are of a dark deep lilac, having a penumbra. 

 Length, from 18 to 20 lines; breadth, from 13 to 15 lines. 



Var. ^. The ground-colour a uniform dull dark brown, with 

 numerous minute dots and spots of a deeper hue over the whole 

 surface. Length, 20 lines; breadth, 13 lines, 



Var. 7]. Ground-colour brownish-white, with spots and dashes 

 of wood-brown tinged with lilac, and obsolete lilac spots at the 

 larger end. Length, 17 lines; breadth 14 lines. 



The nest of the Australian Magpie is a large open structure, 

 composed of sticks and twigs, lined with grass and hair. It is 

 usually placed in the fork of a tree, or among the bushy boughs 

 of a species of Angophora. The eggs are usually three, but 

 sometimes four in number. 



These lively and showy birds are great favourites among all 

 school-boys, soon becoming tame enough to be allowed to run 

 and fly about at pleasure, and coming down when called to re- 

 ceive a worm or a piece of meat from the hand. They are great 

 mimics, especially of the larger birds and domestic fowls ; but 

 their own song is very pleasant and full of melody. It may be 

 often heard at sunrise, as they leave the tall trees with sweeping 

 flight, and make for the patches of cleared land, where they may 

 be seen running over the bright - green grass or searching for 

 worms in the newly-ploughed fields, every now and then throwing 

 back their heads and pouring forth their liquid flute-like notes. 

 Young birds get their full livery after the first year, 



11. Myiagra plumbea (Gould, vol. ii. pi. 89). 



This pretty Flycatcher arrives here about the same time as 

 Monarcha carinata, or perhaps a little earlier. It is, however, 

 much more regular in its visits than that bird, coming every 

 year, whereas the other is not so regular, nor in such constant 

 numbers. Myiagra plumbea is a pleasing, active little bird, ever 



