WHITE-BACKED MAGPIE. 
Ground-colour very pale bluish-white, well covered with smudges and smears of 
umber, brownish-red, and pale purplish-slate. Surface of shell smoothly granulate, 
and rather glossy. The clutch measures 40 mm. by 29. Another clutch of four, 
which is rather oval in shape, has a ground-colour of a pale greenish-white, well 
marked all over with spots and blotches of dark, rusty-brown, and a few pale 
slate markings here and there. Surface of shell rather smoothly granulate, and 
somewhat glossy. The clutch measures 40-41 mm. by 29. Another clutch which 
is beautifully and delicately marked, is of rather an unusual variety for this species. 
Very long ovals in shape. Ground-colour of a soft and delicate bluish-white, 
rather sparingly marked with rusty-brown and dull purplish-grey, the markings 
being chiefly confined to the larger end of each egg. Surface of shell fin e and 
smooth, and possessing rather a good gloss. Under the lens the shell shows numerous 
pin-point pittings all over. The clutch measures 40-41 mm. by 25-26. 
Nest. The usual Oymnorhina type, and placed in a tree at heights varying from 15 to 
30 feet or more. 
Eggs. In the Tasmanian form the eggs vary much in the general colouring, markings, 
shape and size ; and from three to five forming the clutch. The eggs are devoid of 
the rich reddish markings so common in those of the Australian forms. A clutch of 
four of the variety mostly met with has a pale greenish-white ground-colour, well 
blotched and streaked, as well as having many hair-like markings, with umber, 
dark rusty-brown and dull slate. Very swollen oval in shape and approaching to 
pyriform. Surface of shell rather granular, and slightly glossy. The clutch measures 
42 mm. by 30. Another clutch of four is long oval in shape, ground-colour of a 
pale greenish-grey, well spotted and blotched with umber and dull slate markings, 
and in colour and markings closely resemble some forms met with of those of the 
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike ( Graucalus novcehollandice). Surface of shell slightly 
granular and rather glossy. The clutch measures 43 mm. by 26. 
Nest. The usual large open dish-shaped structure ; composed of small sticks and twigs, 
and lined with grasses, rootlets, wool and feathers. Placed in a bush or tree from 
12 to 50 feet up from ground. 
Breeding season. July to February. 
When Gould published Ms preliminary account of the Birds of Australia, 
his Synopsis, he introduced Gr adieus hypoleucus as a new species from Van 
Diemen’s Land. When he prepared his full and complete account he adopted 
Gray’s generic name of Gymnorhina for the larger species, proposing a new 
species, G. leuconota, but also changing the name of the Tasmanian species to 
G. organicum, apparently on account of the term hypoleucus being inapplicable 
to the species, but such name changes are not allowed. Moreover, as it is 
generally allowed that the two above named are only subspecifically separable, 
the name hypoleucus must be used specifically for both forms. 
Gould wrote of his “ G. organicum ” : “ This animated and elegant bird is 
a native of Tasmania, and appears to be very local in its habitat, for while it is 
never found below Austin’s Ferry on the southern bank of the river Derwent, 
it is very plentiful on the opposite side, and it is also to be met with in small 
troops in all the open parts of the country ; but I did not observe it on the 
banks of the Tamar. When perched on the dead branches of the trees soon 
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