PLATE 



XXXYI. 



GENUS STRUTHIDEA (Gould). 



THE one known species of this genus is confined to the interior of the eastern and southern portions 

 of Australia. 



STRUTHIDEA CINEREA (Gould). 



GREY STRUTHIDEA. 



THIS species, which closely resembles the Corcorax in habits, is found only in the interior, more 

 especially on the pine ridges near the Namoi River. It there generally frequents the Callitris 

 Pyramidalis, a kind of fir, the seeds of which, with insects, constitute its food. Its actions among the 

 branches are very much the same as those of the Corcorax Melanorhamphus. 



Gilbert, who was the first to find the nest, believed that it was an old one of a Grallina, but 



on further investigation found that he was mistaken, as, although built in the same manner, of 



mud and straw, it was constructed by this bird. It, moreover, differs from the nest of the Grallina 

 in being lined with fine grass. 



The eggs, generally four in number, are white in colour, with irregular blotches of brown and 

 grey. They are one inch and a quarter long and seven-eighths of an inch broad. 



The head, neck, back and under surface are grey, each feather tipped with lighter grey ; wings, 

 brown ; tail, black, the middle feathers glossed with green ; irides, white ; bill, legs and feet, black. 



The sexes do not differ in colouring. 



Total length, \l\ inches; bill, f inch; wing, 5^ inches; tail, 6 inches; tarsi, 1^ inch. 

 Habitat : Interior of the eastern and southern parts of Australia. 



GENUS SERICULUS (Swainson). 



THIS genus, interesting before on account of many peculiarities, has been rendered more so by the 

 discovery that, like the members of the genera Chlamydodera and Ptilinorhynchus, it constructs a 

 bower similar in character to those of the latter birds. 



