PHONYGAMIN^. 
moderate and even. Tarsi robust, longer than the middle toe, and covered mth broad strong scales. 
Toes moderate, with the lateral ones nearly equal ; the hind toe long and robust ; the claws moderate, 
much curved, and acute. 
The species of this genus are only found in Australia, where they are seen in small parties in the cultivated places, 
even near the dwellings and stock yards of the colonists ; but they prefer, says Mr. Gould, the cleared lands, open 
flats and plains, skirted by belts of trees ; he also speaks highly of their musical notes. They feed chiefly on insects, 
for which they generally search the ground, and they devour immense numbers of locusts and grasshoppers. The nests 
arc formed outwardly of sticks, leaves, wool, &c., and lined with fine materials. The eggs are usually three or four in 
munbcr. 
1. G. tibiccn (Lath.) G.R.Gray, Gould, Syn. B. of Austr.pl. 
f. (head) B. of Austr. pi. 
2. (i. leucoiiota Gould, B. of Austr. pi. — Cracticus hypoleucus 
Gould, Syn. B. of Austr. pi. f. (head) ; Barita tibicen Quoy ^- Less. 
Voy. do rUranie, Ois. t. 20. 
3. G. anapJionensis (Temm.) — Cracticus cuneicaudatus Fiei/I. 
Less. Compl. de Buff. t. 47. f. 1. 
St REFER A Less.* 
Bill longer than the head, broad at the base, the culmen elevated and rounded at the base, and slightly 
curved towards the tip, which is slightly emarginated ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and pierced in the 
substance of the bill in the form of a longitudinal slit. Wings long and pointed, with the first quill 
short, and the second much shorter than the third, which is rather shorter than the fourth and fifth ; these 
are the longest. Tail long and nearly square. Tarsi strong, longer than the middle toe, and strongly 
scutellated. Toes moderate, with the lateral ones nearly equal ; the hind toe long and robust ; the claws 
moderate, much curved, and acute. 
The continent of Australia is the peculiar habitat for the species of this genus. They are, observes Mr. Gould, 
usually seen in small parties of four to six individuals, migrating from one part of that vast country to another in search 
of food. Some species chiefly seek their food on the ground, where they hop with the greatest facility ; it consists of 
insects and larvce. Others are more generally observed on the trees, on which they search for fruits, berries, and seeds. 
Their flight is usually of short duration, and consists generally of flitting from tree to tree, or from one portion of the 
forest to another. They possess the power of causing the forests to echo with their remarkable noisy cries. The nests 
are constructed on the trees of large size, built of sticks, and lined with grass. The eggs are usually three to four in 
number. 
1. gracuUna (Shaw), G. R.Gray, White's Bot. Bay, pi. p. 
251. — Corvus strepera Z/OiA. Leach, Zool. Misc. pi. 86., Le Vaill. 
Ois. de Par, t. 24., Gould, B. of Austr. pi. 
2. S.fuliginosa Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1836. p. 106., Syn. of Austr. 
Birds, pi. f. 
3. S. versicolor (Lath.) Lamb. Icon. ined. i. ^l. — Strepera cine- 
rea Gould. 
* M. Lesson establi.shed this genus in 1831 {Traits d'Ornithologie, p. 32.q.). It is coequal with Coronicn of Mr. Gould (1837). 
3 z 
