PLATE VII. 



STREPERA ANAPHONENSIS. 



GREY CROW-SHRIKE. 



THE range of the present species is very great, extending from New South Wales to Western 

 Australia, and embracing all the southern portion of the continent. 



It is seen generally either singly or in pairs, the places frequented being thickly timbered 

 forests. It is more terrestrial in habits than is usual with this genus, and, as a natural consequence, 

 subsists more on insects than on seeds or berries. 



In September and October three eggs are laid in a structure formed of sticks and grasses, 

 and placed on one of the smaller branches of a Eucalyptus tree. The eggs are one inch and three- 

 quarters long, by one inch and a-quarter broad, and are light reddish-brown, blotched with dark brown. 



As in the case of the other members of the genus, the sexes are alike in colouring. 



All the upper surface, wings, and tail, are dark leaden-grey ; ear-coverts, brownish-black ; under 

 surface, bluish-grey, tinged with brown ; irides, yellowish-brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. 



Habitats : New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. 



STREPERA ARGUTA (Gould). 



HILL CROW-SHRIKE. 



THE home of the species under notice is Tasmania and South Australia, where it inhabits the same 

 kind of country as its congeners. 



Like the Strepera Anaphonensis, it is seen chiefly on the ground, very often in families from 

 four to ten in number. 



The larger kind of insects, such as locusts and grasshoppers, form its principal food, which is 

 however, varied by different kinds of berries and fruits. 



Its note is peculiar, somewhat resembling the clinking noise given out by iron when struck by 

 a hammer. 



The nest, in which three or four eggs are laid, is the same in construction as those of the 

 other StrepercB. 



The head and throat are deep black; wings and tail, brownish-black; the base of the primaries 

 and secondaries, largely margined with white ; back, brownish-black ; under surface, brownish-grey ; irides, 

 yellow ; bill, legs, and feet, black. 



Habitats ; South Australia and Tasmania. 



