PLATE 



GENUS GYMNORHINA. 



"1 /TEMBERS of this genus inhabit most parts of Australia except the northern portion, and one is 

 found in Tasmania. 



GYMNORHINA ORGANIC UM (Gould). 



TASMAXIAN CROW-SHRIKE. 



T 



HE home of the present species is Tasmania, where it frequents the more open parts of the country. 



It subsists on insects, caterpillars, and grubs, obtained chiefly on the ground, though when 

 not seeking food, it remains mostly among the branches of high trees. 



Its note, which may be heard nearly always immediately after daybreak, has caused the name 

 of Organ-bird to be applied to it, as it is considered by a great many people to resemble the sound of 

 a hand organ. 



During the period of nidification, four eggs are laid in a nest constructed of sticks and strips of 

 bark interwoven, and lined with fine grasses, wool, and feathers. 



The eggs are one inch and five lines long, and one inch broad, and are light greenish-grey, with 

 spots and blotches of dark brown, and a few of purplish-grey distributed over the surface. 



There are some slight differences in the colouring of the sexes. 



The male has the head, cheeks, under surface, scapularies, and tips of the tail-feathers, black ; 

 primaries, brownish-black ; rest of the plumage, white ; irides, yellowish-brown ; bill, horn-colour ; legs and 

 feet, black. 



The female differs in having the back of the neck and back, grey. 



Habitat : Tasmania. 



