152 



cassell's book of birds. 



the head and nape black ; the rump is white, the under side greyish white, and a white spot lies 

 between the eyes and the base of the beak. The quills are blackish brown, with a white edge to 

 the outer web of the secondaries ; the tail-feathers are black, and, except the two centre ones, are 

 tipped with white. The eye is dark reddish brown ; the beak is grey at its base, and black towards 

 the tip ; the feet are deep grey. The female has darker markings than her mate, and the young 

 are spotted with brown and reddish yellow. The length of this species is about thirteen inches 

 and a half. 



Gould tells us that the Magpie Shrikes are found extensively throughout Australia, where they 

 inhabit the bmshwood extending from the coast to the mountain tracts ; and, despite their habit of 

 perching almost motionless on the branches whilst on the watch for prey, their presence is speedily 

 announced to the traveller by the constant repetition of their extraordinarily harsh and unpleasing 

 cry. The larger kinds of insects or small birds constitute their principal food ; upon these they dart 



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THE HELMET SHRIKE (Piionops poliocephalits). 



with direct aim, and after killing their prey, return with it to the perch they have just quitted, usually 

 spitting the victim upon a thorn or pointed twig, after the manner of the Butcher Bird, before 

 devouring it. Gould tells us that this species is very daring, even when brought in contact with 

 man, and mentions an instance in which he was followed for more than an hour by a hungry Magpie 

 Shrike, it having discovered that a small bird was imprisoned in his hunting-pouch. The breeding 

 season commences in September ; the nest is large, and neatly constructed of fine twigs, lined with 

 small shoots and delicate fibres. The brood consists of four eggs, with a deep yellowish brown shell, 

 marked with dark spots and tracings of various shades, which frequently take the form of a wreath 

 at the broad end. 



The RAVEN SHRIKES (Thamnopliilus) appear to combine all the peculiarities exhibited by 

 the various members of this group, and in some respects resemble the Jay in appearance. These 

 birds are recognisable by their powerful body and rounded wings, in which the third and fourth 

 quills exceed the rest in length ; the tail is long, composed of broad feathers, abruptly graduated at its 

 sides, and rounded at its extremity. The beak is high, compressed at the sides, and rounded at the 



