SIBEPSBA. 57 



S. arguta ; they are of a light purple or rich vinous brown ground 

 colour, with large irregularly, shaped markings of slaty-brown 

 evenly dispersed over the surface of the shell. Length (A) 1-6 x 

 M8 inch ; (B) b65 x M9 inch." {North, P.L.S., F.S.W., Vol. 

 ii., 2nd Series, p. 406.) 



Sah. Victoria and South Australia. {Ramsay.) 



3-^ STREPERA FULIGINOSA, Gould. 



Sooty Crow-shrike. 



Oould, Handbh. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 89, p. 170. :ZZ2 . ^. 



The nidification of this bird is similar to the preceding species, 

 and the same may be said of all members of the genus. The eggs 

 in a number of sets of five species of the genus now before me, 

 show very little variation either in form or colour, and it would 

 , be difficult, if possible at all, to single out those of one species from 

 another. Specimens that have been recently taken are of a 

 much brighter and deeper colour. 



The Sooty Crow-shrike lays from three to four eggs for a 

 sitting, varying in shape from a short to a long oval, of a pale 

 chocolate or vinous-brown ground colour, and marked all over 

 with blotches of light-brown ; in one specimen (a) the markings 

 are very small and confined to the larger end. Length (A) 1'63 

 X 1-2 inch ; (B) 1-75 x 1-18 inch ; (C) 1-73 x 1-22 inch. 



This species breeds during the months of August, September, 

 and October. 



Sab. Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania. {Ramsay.) 



3. STREPERA ARGUTA, Gould. 



Hill Crow-shrike. 

 Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 90, p. 171. 



The nest of this species is similar to that of S. melanoptera. Eggs 

 three for a sitting, of a light I'eddish or buffy^brown ground 



