GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH. 
and melodious. There seems to be no variation in the construction of the 
nest, or shape and coloration of the eggs. Like the mainland form they 
live principally upon insect life, but occasionally seeds and berries are found 
in the stomachs. I have found them nesting in October and November. 
At nesting-time the male bird is very pugnacious and he is often heard 
snapping the mandibles of his bill together with quite a loud sharp sound 
as he chases some intruder. C. h. strigata. I have met with this bird 
throughout Tasmania and also on King Island, Flinders Island and smaller 
islands of the Fumeaux Group. Like other members of the family they 
obtain much of their food upon the ground and are noted for their clear and 
musical whistle. I found them breeding in October and November.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor has written me: “This our most common ‘thrush'' 
is certainly well deserving of the specific name ‘ harmonica ,’ as its liquid notes 
are most beautiful to hear, especially on a clear, sharp, frosty morning with 
tfie air fight and fresh. The principal call consists of three notes, somewhat 
drawn out, but of the same round full tone, then comes a sharp high-pitched 
staccato note, and a last one on the same tone as the three previous ones 
and slightly drawn out, the whole call sounding like ‘ Bob-bob-bob-white- 
head * ; there are other notes equally as pleasing and liquid which are 
undoubtedly made as love calls to their mates, as they are made more in the 
mating spring-time than otherwise, although it may be said to sing at all 
times of the year. I have observed it in so many localities that it may claim 
as habitat, the whole eastern portion of Australia, going as far westward 
as Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, but not on to Eyre Peninsula ; this 
I am sure of, as I have made special search on this point ; it is not found 
in Western Australia. It is found all over Victoria and New South Wales 
and the greater part of Queensland, especially in the southern latitudes. 
At the Reed beds, South Australia, they can be seen and heard at all times, 
as they do not migrate, and I have taken great interest in protecting them. 
Sometimes two broods will be reared from July to December.” 
Le Souef has recorded in 1904 : “ Last season Mr. Andrew McGregor, 
of Essendon, Victoria, shot a little Chestnut-bellied Quail, which fell close 
by a tree not far from where he was, but before it was possible for him. to 
secure it, a Grey Shrike-Thrush (C. harmonica) picked it up, and flying into 
a tree, commenced to make a meal off it. I knew these Shrike-Thrushes 
occasionally took the eggs of other birds, but did not think they would take 
a bird as large as a Quail.” 
Writing of the Birds of Kow Plains in the Victorian Mallee, Chandler 
observed : “ C. harmonica . One of the first things to attract our attention 
was the marked difference in the notes of this bird when compared with the 
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