58 LANIAIXai. 



colour, spotted or blotclied with markings of a darker tint, 

 one specimen B, is a rounded-oval in form, and the markings are 

 clouded and not so well defined. Length (A) 1-78 x M8 inch ; 

 (B) 1-63 X 1-21 inch ; (C) 1-64 x 1-22 inch. 



The above eggs are described from a set taken in Tasmania. 



Mr. Sharpe has separated the South Australian examples of 

 this species, and described them under the name of 8. melanoptera 

 previously given to it by Mr. Gould. 



The months of September and October constitute the breeding 

 season of this species. 



Hah. Tasmania. {Ramsay.) 



Genus GYMNOEHINA, 



^'i>-h GYMNOEHINA TIBICEN, iaifAam. * 



Piping Crow-slirike. 

 Gould, Randbk. Bds. Aust , Vol. i., sp. 92, p. 175. ^^ ■ ^- ^""- ^■ 



" None of the Australian birds I have hitherto met with lay 

 eggs that are subject to greater variety than those of the present 

 species. Out of twenty specimens now before me, there are twelvte 

 very distinctly marked varieties ; and I will endeavour to describe 

 those of them which are from the neighbourhood of Sydney. 



Var. A. In this, which is perhaps the most common variety, 

 the ground colour is of a very pale sky-blue or bluish- white, with 

 spots of lilac and numerous irregular markings of light brown 

 equally distributed over the whole surface of the egg. Length 

 from 16 to 20 lines ; breadth from 13 to 15 lines. 



Var. B. Ground colour pale bluish or greenish- white, with long 

 curved markings, smears, and dashes of reddish-brown. Length 

 18 lines; breadth 13 lines. 



Var. 0. When first emptied of the contents, the ground-colour 

 of this variety is a beautiful light green, with deep rust-red 



