344 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 



The Long-billed Magpie. 



Gymnorhina longirostris. 



North-west Australia. 



Differs from G. tibicen in being a little larger. Total length 16.5 

 inches, the bill narrow, straighter and longer, 2.5 inches, and the tail 

 and tarsus shorter. The coloration is much the same, the white a little 

 more extensive, as over the upper half of the thighs. 



The Varied-backed Magpie. 



Gymnorhina dorsalis. 

 Adult male: Resembles most the male of G. leuconota, but is smaller 

 in size; bill narrower, more curved and longer; edge of wings slightly 

 mottled instead of white, and the black terminal band of the tail narrower 

 and more concentric, in form; bill bluish-white graduating through bluish- 

 brown colour into bluish-black at the tip; irides hazel; legs black. Adult 

 female: Differs conspicuously in having the back black instead of white; 

 back of neck and lower back being of a mottled appearance where the 

 dark feathers are tipped with white, the mottle at back of neck blending 

 into a white nape; the otherwise black plumage is browner in tone than 

 on the male, especially on the under parts and primaries. (Campbell). 

 Male: Total length 15.5 inches, culmen 2.3, wing 10.25, tail 6.1, tarsus 2.1. 

 Pemale: Total length 16 inches, culmen 2.2, wing 10.5, tail 6.25, tarsus 

 2.2. 



Gould had noticed that the birds of Swan River presented 

 some differences from the Black-backed Magpie, but did not 

 erect a new species on his observations. Ramsay listed the West 

 Australian bird as the White-backed Magpie. It was reserved 

 for Mr. A. J. Campbell to solve the mystery. By dissection of 

 birds in the bush and observation of others in captivity, he 

 found to his surprise that the male birds possessed white backs 

 and the female birds black backs, the sexes thus dividing the 

 characters of the plumage of the two Eastern species. He found 

 also that the western bird differed from both in the longer and 

 narrower bill. 



The Western Magpie like its congeners lives well in captivity, 

 and forms as amusing and mischievous a pet. Mr. Campbell 

 thought that it rather lacked, however, the joyous hilarity of 

 song so noticeable in both the eastern species. 



The nest is constructed outwardly of sticks and twigs and 

 lined inside with fine bark. Outside diameter 11.75, inside 6, 

 depth 2.5 inches. Clutch usually 4. Breeds chiefly in September, 

 October, November. 



