LITTLE CUCKOO-SHRIKE. 
markings of the same colour on a greyish-white ground ; from this state 
individuals in every variety of change, to the uniform grey throat and head, 
with black lores and mark under the eye are to be met with. Independently 
of a difference in its markings, its much smaller size will at all times serve to 
distinguish it from Graucalus melanops, which inhabits the same districts. 
Insects of various orders and caterpillars, which are either captured on the 
wing or taken from the branches, form its diet.” 
Captain S. A. White states : “ I have seen this bird both in New South 
Wales and Victoria, but have only once seen the South Australian form, and 
until that time I doubted its existence.” 
Mr. Edwin Ashby notes : “ This bird appears to be scarce in South 
Australia, but I think it is often overlooked.” 
Mr. Thos. P. Austin, writing from Cobbora, New South Wales, states : 
“ The Little Cuckoo-Shrike is a very rare visitor during the spring and 
summer months. Wliat few birds I have seen here appear to spend most of 
their time in the topmost branches of the larger trees, mostly eucalyptus, 
along the banks of the Talbragar River, where it quietly hops about gather- 
ing its food, then suddenly darting out to capture some passing insect. 
Although I have known them to remain here during the breeding-season, 
I have never seen a nest, but I am of the opinion that a few pairs have 
bred here.” 
Berney has recorded that in the Richmond district, North Queensland, 
it is “ very seldom seen. They were here in the river timber in June 1902 
and again in August 1904. When about, their cry, 4 Kiseek, kiseek ’ is easily 
heard, and cannot possibly be mistaken. The stomach of one I obtained on 
the Campaspe River contained grasshoppers and beetles.” 
Broadbent wrote: “ Cardwell is the true habitat of this bird. Here all the 
year round.” But Campbell suggests this may be a mistake and that “the 
species intended is the preceding one. 
As a synonym I have included Ceblepyris ( Graucalus ) affinis Riippell, 
Mus. Senckenb., Vol. III., pt. i., p. 38, 1839, the type locality of which is given 
as “Vermuthlich New Holland.” The description seems to apply to an 
immature of this species, and the name was overlooked by Hartert when he 
prepared the Catalogue of the Senckenburg Museum in 1891, but on page 91 he 
entered a juvenile specimen of G. mentalis, which may have been the specimen 
described by Ruppell. 
It will be seen little has been recorded regarding this species, apparently on 
account of its similarity to the commoner one. 
In 1912 I listed two subspecies under the names Coracina robusta robusta 
and Coracina robusta mentalis , and these were admitted in my 1913 “List.” 
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