iELURCEDUS CRASSIROSTRIS. 



LAEGE-BILL CAT BIRD. 



LANIUS CRASSIROSTRIS, Payk. N. Act. Ac. Upsal. (1815) vol. vii. p. 282, t. 10. 



GREEN GRAKLE, Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. viii. p. 186— Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. vii. (1809) p. 47.— Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp. vol. ii. p. 129 

 PTILONORHYNCHUS VIRIDIS, Wagl. Syst. Av. sp. 3. 



PTILONORHYNCHUS SMITHII, Vig. & Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. xv. p. 264.— Gould, B. of Austr. vol. iv. pi— Gray, Gen. Birds, vol. ii. 

 pi. 325. 



KITTA VIRESCENS, Temm. Plan. Color, vol. ii. pi. 396. 



AILURCEDUS SMITHII, Cab. Mus. Hein. Theil i. p. 213— Gould, Hand-b. Birds Austr. (1865) vol. i. p. 446. 

 Hab. New South Wales (Gould). 



Many authors, from the days of Latham to our own time, have written about this bird, and classed it in many 

 different families and genera. It is allied to the Bower-birds, and frequents like situations with some of them. 

 " So far as our knowledge extends, this species is only found in New South Wales, where it inhabits the luxuriant 

 forests that extend along the eastern coast between the mountain-ranges and the sea — those of the Illawarra, the 

 Hunter, the MacLeay, and the Clarence, and the cedar-brushes of the Liverpool range, being, among many 

 others, localities in which it may be found. Situations suitable to the Regent and Satin birds are equally adapted to 

 the habits of the Cat bird; and I have not unfrequently seen them all three feeding together on the same 

 tree. The wild fig and the native cherry, when in season, afford an abundant supply. So rarely does it take 

 insects, that I do not recollect ever finding any remains in the stomachs of those specimens I dissected. In its 

 disposition it is neither a shy nor a wary bird, little caution being required to approach it either when feeding or 

 while quietly perched upon the lofty branches of the trees. It is at such times that its loud, harsh, and extra- 

 ordinary note is heard — a note which differs so much from that of all other birds, that, having been once heard, it 

 can never be mistaken. In comparing it to the nightly concerts of the domestic cat I conceive that I am conveying 

 to my readers a more perfect idea of the note of this species than could be given by pages of description. This 

 concert is performed either by a pair or several individuals ; and nothing more is required than for the hearer 

 to shut his eyes to the neighbouring foliage to fancy himself surrounded by London grimalkins of house-top 

 celebrity. 



"While in the district in which this bird is found, my attention was directed to the acquisition of all the 

 information I could obtain respecting its habits, as I considered it very probable that it might construct a 

 bower similar to that of the Satin bird ; but I could not satisfy myself that it does ; nor could I discover 

 its nest, or the situation in which it breeds ; it is doubtless, however, among the branches of the forest in 

 which it fives. The sexes do not offer the slightest difference in plumage, or any external character by which 

 the male may be distinguished from the female ; she, however, is rather less brilliant in her markings and 

 somewhat smaller in size." — Gould. 



Entire upper parts, wings, and tail rich dark green. Tips of secondaries, lesser wing-coverts, tertials, and tail- 

 feathers spotted with white. Feathers of hind neck and upper part of back also having a small white spot in the 

 centre near the tip. Throat, cheeks, upper part of breast, and flanks green, with a brownish tinge, each feather 

 with a heart-shaped white spot in the centre near the tip. Rest of underparts pale green, becoming a light yellow 

 in the centre of the abdomen. Under tail-coverts very light green. Bill yellowish horn-colour. Feet and tarsi 

 blackish brown. 



