3o6 BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF GEELONG 
BUTCHER-BIRD OR COLLARED CROW- 
SHRIKE 
Bulestes torquatus olindus 
Resembling the Magpie in respect of its shape, 
colouring, general disposition and nest-economy, the 
Butcher-bird yet belongs to a distinct genus, and, 
as it is so much smaller than the Magpie, there should 
be no confusing the two. The Butcher-bird's back 
is dark greyish brown, merging into black on the 
neck and crown of the head ; the under surface is 
greyish white, and there is also a good deal of white 
in the wings and tail which shows when the bird is 
in flight. 
The wing-beats are quicker than is the case with 
the flight of the Magpie, and there are frequent short 
intervals of soaring. 
No one could possibly describe adequately the 
Butcher-bird's note : it begins with a loud, confused 
medley of sound, and ends with single notes. It has 
been described as discordant, but in my opinion is 
one of the most cheerful and joyous bird-voices of 
the bush. Singularly enough, it is at its best in the 
autumn, a season when odd birds leave their regular 
quarters and move about the district, one or two 
penetrating to the Eastern Park. 
Like the Magpie, the Butcher-bird is fond of the 
neighbourhood of houses, and if a farm-house has a 
belt of Pinus insignis trees near it, may build in one 
