GROUND CUCKOO-SHRIKE. 
Eggs. “ Three. Typical eggs are of a dull asparagus-green ground-colour, which is more 
or less obscured with numerous indistinct fleecy markings of olive-brown. 33-34 mm. 
by 22-24.” (North.) 
Breeding-season. August to December. 
Simultaneously described by Gould and Riippell, the name given by the 
latter author has priority of publication, and must be accepted. 
Gould’s notes are here quoted : “ The rarity of this species in our 
collections is sufficient evidence that it is a bird inhabiting the interior of the 
country, and that its native localities have been seldom visited by the explorer ; 
hence it was a source of no ordinary gratification to me when I first encountered 
it on the plains bordering the River Namoi in New South Wales, and perceived 
that no very lengthened study of its habits and mode of life was requisite to 
ascertain that its structure is as beautifully adapted for terrestrial progression 
and for a residence on the ground, as the structure of the Graucali fits them 
to inhabit the branches of the trees ; more beautiful modifications of form, 
in fact, can scarcely be seen than occur among the members of this group, 
which now comprehends a considerable number of species ; the present bird, 
however, is the only terrestrial one that has yet come under my notice, either 
from Australia or the great nursery of these birds — India and the Indian 
islands. Plains and open glades skirted by belts of high trees are the localities 
in which I generally met with this bird, either in pairs or small parties of from 
three to six or eight in number. Its actions are very animated ; at the same 
time it is cautious and shy. Its powers of progression on the ground are 
considerable ; when disturbed it flies across the plain to the belts of lofty 
trees, when the white mark on the rump shows very conspicuously, and may 
be seen at a considerable distance. Its range extends over the whole of the 
interior of Southern Australia from east to west ; how far it proceeds north- 
wards has not yet been ascertained. Of its nidification I regret to say nothing 
is at present known. The sexes exhibit no external differences.” 
Macgillivray has written: “Very plentiful throughout the Gulf country, 
where in parties of from three to six they may often be seen feeding on the 
ground. The flight is undulating, like that of Graucalus melanops .” 
Captain S. A. White has written me : “I have never seen this bird really 
plentiful anywhere, only small parties of ten to a dozen and as a rule they 
are very shy. As far as South Australia is concerned, the interior seems to 
be their home. Denmark is the farthest south I have ever seen them, and 
the more southerly birds seem much darker than those found in the interior. 
Their remarkable call always attracts one and makes known their presence.” 
Mr. Sandland wrote me : “ First seen about Balah, South Australia, 
in 1908, when I took nest with two eggs early in September. I had not seen 
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