THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
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note closely resembling the croak of a frog, and it also has a pleasing 
whistling call-note. Food: insects of various kinds and small crustaceans. 
Nest. — A cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark bound 
together with spiders' webs, decorated on the outside with pieces of bark 
and lichen ; lined with fine rootlets. Usually built in trees or vines over- 
hanging water. 
Eggs. — Two or three, bluish or greenish-white, spotted with brownish 
and lavender markings, particularly at the larger end, often forming 
a zone. Breeding-season: October to January or February. 
16. Yellow-billed Kingfisher Syma torotoro Lesson — 16A. Female 
Syma — Syme Island in the TEgean Sea : torotoro — native name. 
Distribution. — Northern Queensland (Cape York) ; also occurs in the 
Aru Islands and New Guinea. 
Notes. — Also called Saw-billed Kingfisher. The New Guinea form is 
a mangrove-dwelling species, whilst the Cape York form usually inhabits 
the scrub and open forest-lands. It has a mournful trilling call, ascending 
the scale, and difficult to locate. Food: insects (chiefly beetles), small rep- 
tiles, and crustaceans. 
Nest. — In a hole in a termites' nest in a tree. 
Eggs. — Three or four, pure white. Breeding-season: November and 
December or January. 
17. Mangrove Kingfisher Halcyon chloris Boddaert 
Hal'-cy-on — Gk, ale yon, a sea-bird, later the kingfisher, hal, the sea, cyon, 
breeding : chlor-is — Gk, chloros, yellow-green. 
Distribution . — Northern Australia, as far south as Brisbane on the 
east coast and Point Cloates on the west coast. 
Notes. — A migratory species, inhabiting the mangroves ; its note is 
similar to that of the Sacred Kingfisher, but much louder; it is usually 
seen in pairs or small parties. Food: small fish and crustaceans. 
Nest . — In a hole in a termites’ nest, in a hollow limb, or in a hole in 
a tree. 
Eggs. — Three, pure white. Breeding-season: October to December. 
18. Black Butcher-bird Cracticus quoyi Lesson and Garnot — ISA. Red 
Phase 
Crac -tic -us — Gk, cracticos, loud-voiced: quoyi — Jean Rene Quoy (1790- 
1869), French scientist and explorer, associated with Gaimard. 
Distribution . — Northern Territory and northern Queensland; also 
occurs in New Guinea. 
Notes. — Two colour phases are known; both often occur in the same 
brood, the black phase being the more plentiful. Usually in pairs, inhabit- 
ing the mangroves; it is a melodious songster, with rich, flute-like notes. 
Food : chiefly crustaceans and insects of various kinds. 
