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GYMNORHINA TIBICEN. 
Piping* Crow-Shrike. 
Coracias Tihicen, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp., xxvii. — Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. vii. p. 405. 
Barita Tibicen, Temm. Man., part i. p. li. — Less. Traite d'Orn., p. 345. 
Piping Roller, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iii. p. 86. no. 23. 
Cracticus Tibicen, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 260.— Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I. 
Gymnorhina Tibicen, G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, 2nd edit. p. 50. 
Ca-ruck, Aborigines of New South Wales. 
This species is universally diffused over the colony of New South Wales, to which part of the Australian 
continent I believe its habitat to be confined. It is true that a bird of this genus inhabits the neighbour- 
hood of Swan River, whose size and style of plumage is very similar, but which I have little doubt will 
prove to be distinct. In fact, from what we see in other instances, it is natural to expect that there 
would be a species of this genus on the western as well as on the eastern side of the country, and that 
they would, as representatives of each other, be very nearly allied ; I shall therefore consider the habitat 
of the present bird to be restricted to New South Wales until I have further proofs to the contrary. 
The Gymnorhina Tibicen is a bold and showy bird, which, when not harassed and driven away, greatly 
enlivens and ornaments the lawns and gardens of the colonists by its presence, and with the slightest 
protection from molestation becomes so tame and familiar that it approaches close to their dwellings, 
and perches round them and the stock yards in small families of from six to ten in number. Nor 
is its morning carol less amusing and attractive than its pied and strongly contrasted plumage is pleasing 
to the eye. To describe the notes of this bird is beyond the power of my pen, and it is a source of regret 
to myself that my readers cannot, as I have done, listen to them in their native wilds, or that the bird is 
not introduced into this country in sufficient numbers for it to become generally known ; a more amusing 
and easily-kept denizen for the aviary could not be selected. As it dwells in New South Wales all the year 
round, breeds upon the trees bordering the cleared lands, and constructs a nest as large and conspicuous 
as that of the Crow of our own island, there can be no difficulty in procuring as many young ones as 
might be desired ; and I trust, therefore, that whenever opportunities occur for sending living examples to 
England they will not be neglected. 
Cleared lands, open flats and plains skirted by belts of trees are its favourite localities, hence the interior 
of the country is more favourable to its habits than the neighbourhood of the coast. 
It lives almost entirely on insects, which are generally procured on the ground, and the number of 
locusts and grasshoppers it devours is immense. In captivity it subsists upon animal food of almost every 
kind, and that berries and fruits would be equally acceptable I have but little doubt. 
The breeding-season commences in August and lasts until January, during which period two broods are 
generally reared by each pair of birds. The nest is round, deep and open, composed outwardly of sticks, 
leaves, wool, &c, and lined with any finer materials that may be at hand. The eggs are either three or four 
in number ; their colour and size I regret to say I cannot give, having unfortunately neglected to procure 
them while in New South Wales. Of two other and much rarer species I possess the eggs ; and although I 
might from analogy proceed to describe those of the present bird from them, I refrain from so doing. 
The young assume the plumage of the adult from the nest, and no change takes place from age or season. 
Crown of the head, cheeks, throat, back, all the under surface, scapularies, secondaries, primaries and 
tips of the tail-feathers black ; wing-coverts, nape of the neck, upper and under tail-coverts, and base of the 
tail-feathers white ; bill bluish ash-colour at the base, passing into black at the tip ; irides rich reddish hazel ; 
legs black. 
The Plate represents the male and female, with the nest, rather less than the natural size. 
