BIRDS OF THE OPEN FOREST 
5i 
Notes. — Also called Collared Butcher-bird, Collared Crow-shrike, 
Derwent Jackass, lasmanian Jackass, and Whistling Jackass. Usually in 
pairs; its rich, mellow, flute-like notes are among the finest of our bird 
songs. It is an early riser and one of the first birds to call. It has the 
true shrike habit of making a “larder,” hanging parts of its “kill” on 
thorns or in small forks of a tree, to be eaten at leisure. It is a menace 
to caged birds, visiting the cages and tearing off the legs, wings, or heads 
of the occupants when they fly against the wire. Food: insects of various 
kinds, chiefly beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers ; also small reptiles, birds, 
and field-mice. 
Nest. — A shallow, cup-shaped structure, composed of twigs, rootlets, 
and vine-tendrils; lined with rootlets, dead grasses, and other material. 
Usually built in an upright forked branch of a tree, at heights up to 40 
feet or more from the ground. 
Eggs. — Three or four, varying in pale shades of greyish-green, 
greyish-blue, olive, and light brown, spotted and blotched with dull 
reddish-brown, purplish-red, or chestnut-brown, the markings being con- 
fined almost entirely to the larger end, often forming a zone. Breeding- 
season : August to January. 
4. Black-backed Butcher-bird Cracticus mentalis Salvadori and 
D’Albertis 
men-ta-lis — L., mentalis , chinned. 
Distribution.— Northern Queensland (Cape York district only) ; also 
occurs in New Guinea. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs ; it is similar in habits to the Grey Butcher- 
bird ; its notes are also similar, but are very much weaker, and can only 
be heard a short distance away. Food : insects, chiefly beetles. 
Nest. — A shallow, cup-shaped structure, composed of sticks; lined 
with strong grass-roots. Placed in the forked branches of a tree in forest 
country, at heights up to 35 feet or more from the ground. 
Eggs— Usually three, pale greenish-grey or pale brown, spotted and 
blotched with reddish-brown, purplish-brown, and dull slate markings, 
chiefly at the larger end. Breeding-season: October to December. 
5, Pied Butcher-bird Cracticus nigrogularis Gould 
ni-gro-gu-la-ris — L., niger, black; L., gularis, throated. 
Distribution. — Australia (except southern Victoria and south-western 
Australia). 
Notes. — Also called Black-throated Butcher-bird, Black-throated 
Crow-shrike, and Organ-bird. Usually in isolated pairs. It possesses the 
most musical flute-like notes of any of our birds, heard at their best at 
break of day. An attractive bird in addition to its song, and somewhat 
retiring in its habits. It will defend its nest vigorously, a habit of all 
Butcher-birds. Food: insects, principally beetles and crickets; also mice, 
reptiles, and small birds. 
