The Insectivorous Birds of N.S. W. 



Complaints are sometimes made that the Magpie delights in pulling or 

 digging up the freshly-germinating seeds of grain crops, but when an 

 examination has been made it has been proved in nearly every instance that 

 the bird was only in search of the grub that was attacking the seed at its 

 base. When there is a paucity of insect life this bird may be driven to eat 

 grain for a subsistence, but never from choice. Even admitting that a small 

 quantity of grain is consumed or destroyed every year by this species, it 

 fully compensates for this mischief, by ridding the land of countless numbers 

 of injurious insect pests. 



26. Gymnorhhsa leuconota, Gould. u White-backed Crow-shrike," "White- 



backed Magpie." 



Gymnorhina leuconota, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. II, pi. 47 

 (1848) ; North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 59 (1889). 



This species replaces G. tibicen in the southern districts of the Colony, 

 and is particularly plentiful in the neighbourhood of Cooma, Tumut, and the 

 Manaro Ranges. Like the preceding species, it constructs a large bowl- 

 shaped nest of sticks and twigs, lined with hair, and lays three eggs, which are 

 subject to great variation in their colour and markings. 



27. Grallina picata, Latham. " Pied Grallina," " Magpie-lark," " Mud- 



lark," " Peewit." 



Grallina australis, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Yol. II, pi. 54 (1848). 



Grallina picata, North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., page 79, pi. viii, 

 fig. 12 (1889). 



A well-known resident species, found all over Australia. Breeds during 

 September and the three following months, building a cup-shaped nest of 

 mud lined with grasses, which is usually placed on the bare horizontal branch 

 of a tree, but not uufrequently selecting one where a few green leafy twigs 

 are growing out of it, and which partially hide the structure. During the 

 autumn months it assembles in large flocks, passing most of its time on the 

 ground in search of insects. Eggs four or five in number for a sitting, white 

 or reddish-white with purplish-red spots and blotches, usually forming a 

 zone on the larger end ; length, 1T8 x - 8 inch. Dr. N. A. Cobb, Patholo- 

 gist to the Department of Agriculture, has recently discovered that this bird 

 is most useful in destroying large numbers of a species of land mollusc, an 

 intermediate host of fluke. The figure represents a male. 



28. Pteropodocys phasianella, Gould. " Ground Graucalus." 



Pteropodocys phasianella, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. II, pi. 59 

 (1848) ; North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 76, pi. ix,fig. 2 (1889). 



Widely distributed throughout the iuland portions of the Colony, but not 

 numerous anywhere. 



29. Edoliisoma tenuirostre, Jardine. " Jardine's Campephaga." 



Campephar/ajardinii, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., pi. 60 (1848). 



Edoliisoma tenuirostre, North, Records, Austr. Mus., Vol. II, p. 13 (1892). 



Seldom met with in New South Wales, except in the scrubs and brushes 

 of the coast. 



