MAGPIE-LARK. 
Australia two species, in the Grallina (Magpie-Lark) and the Ibis, have found 
them out and developed the habit of feeding upon them. The Grallina in 
North-west Australia is now known as ‘ the stock inspector,’ for dozens of 
them will congregate round the watering places of the stock, and as the cattle 
come in to drink they will carefully examine each beast for ticks, an office 
which the cattle seem to appreciate. The Ibises, on the other hand, congre- 
gate on the camping places of the cattle, and pick up any ticks that have 
fallen off the animals, and it is stated that the ticks form the principal food 
of these birds in the district.” 
This adaptation of habits so quickly in the Grallina is very interesting, 
as it seems to confirm my deduction that this peculiar form has developed 
from an ancestral relative of the Piezorhynchus series of Fly-catchers, and has 
specialised in such a manner as to obscure its descent. Its rapid recognition 
of the food value and habits of the cattle-tick is a remarkable instance of 
versatility ; and its peculiar nest building capabilities are also extraordinary, 
so that a complete study of this bird would add a valuable chapter to the 
records of Australian ornithology. 
I have already referred to the complex scientific history which I will now 
detail. 
Upon the examination of the Lambert drawings, Latham described : 
“ Blue and White Cr(ow). This species is smaller than a magpie ; bill and 
legs dusky brown ; irides brown ; from the middle of the crown, the nape, 
back of the neck to the middle of the back, the greater part of the wings, 
and the end of the tail for one-third, of a deep blue ; the rest of the 
plumage white ; quills towards the ends brown. Inhabits New South Wales ; 
known by the name of Karrock. It seems much allied to the Thrush genus, 
as it has not any bristles covering the base of the bill ; it is esteemed 
a rare species.” 
To this description the scientific name Corvus cyanoleucus was added. 
A little later in his work Latham described the “ Pied Gr(akle),” giving 
a complete description and adding : “ Inhabits New South Wales , with the 
last species.” The “ last species ” was the Black-headed Grakle, and of this 
Latham wrote : “I am indebted to General Davies for the knowledge of this 
species, having been brought from Port Jackson, by Governor Kin g.” 
Ten years later Oppel described the bird as a new genus and species, 
naming it T any pus australis, but unfortunately selected a preoccupied generic 
name. 
A few years later Vieillot, unaware of Oppel’s account, found the bird 
in Paris and again described it as a new genus and species, naming it Grallina 
melanoleuca. 
331 
