The Insectivorous Birds of N.S. W. 



21. Pabdalotus affiints, Gould. " Allied Diamond-bird." 



Pardalotus affinis, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Yol. n., pi. 39 (1848) ; 

 North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 51 (1889). 



Common in the tall Eucalypti of south-eastern New South Wales. It 

 differs from either of the preceding species by constructing a nest of bark and 

 grasses in the hollow limb of a tree. Eggs white ; length, 0"72 x 0"55 inch. 



22. Pabdalotus obnatus, Temni. " Striated Diamond-bird." 



Pardalotus striatus, Gould, Bds. Austr., fol. ed., Vol. n., pi. 38 (1848). 



Pardalotus ornatus, North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 50 (1889). 



A resident species freely dispersed throughout the inland portions of New 

 South Wales. It is an indefatigable destroyer of insects, searching all day 

 among the leafy foliage of the tall Eucalypti and other trees for small 

 insects and their larvse, which constitute its food The usual nesting place of 

 this species is in the hollow limb of a tree, but frequently it takes possession 

 of the deserted nest of the Eairy Martin (Lagenoplastes arid), or about farm 

 houses and outbuildings ^constructs its dome-shaped nest of bark and 

 grasses, and feathered between the ceiling and roof, or in any situation 

 under cover. It also resorts to the bank of a creek, forming a nest at the 

 extremity of a tunnel like P. punctatus and P. melanocephalus, and about 

 Louth and Bourke is often found breeding in company with the White- 

 breasted Swallow (Oheramoeca leucosternuni) . Eggs pure white; length, 

 072 x 056 inch. 



23. Pabdalotps bubeicatus, Gould. " Eawn-eyebrowed Diamond-bird." 



Pardalotus rubricatus, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. n., pi. 36 

 (1848) ; North, Nests and Eggs Austr. Bds., p. 54 (1889). 



A species rarely met with in New South Wales, inhabiting the north- 

 western portions of the Colony. It breeds at the end of a tunnel it forms 

 in the bank of a creek. Eggs pure white ; length, 08 x 0'6 inch. 



24. Pabdalotus xanthoptgixjs, McCoy. " Golden-rumped Diamond-bird." 



Pardalotus xanthopygius, Could, Suppl. to the Birds of Austr., fol. ed., pi. 

 8 (1869) ; North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 50 (1889). 



This bird is sometimes obtained in the Blue Mountains, but it is a rare 

 species in New South Wales. Breeding habits similar to P. punctatus, 

 which it greatly resembles except in the colour of the rump. Eggs white ; 

 length, 0-63 x 051 inch. 



25. Gymnobhina tibicen", Latham. "Black-backed Crow-shrike," "Black- 



backed Magpie." 



Gymnorliina tibicen, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Yol. n, pi. 46, 

 (1848) ; North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 58, pi. vn, figs. 4, 5 

 and 6 (1889). 

 One of the most useful of all Australian birds to the pastoralist and agricul- 

 turist, devouring immense quantities of grasshoppers, caterpillars, and grubs 

 every year. Both this, and the following species, whose habits are similar, 

 are well known to all residents of Australia as "Magpies." It is distributed 

 over the greater portion of New South Wales, which may be considered 

 the stronghold of the species. 



