THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
after daybreak, it pours forth a succession of notes of the strangest description 
that can' be imagined, much resembling the sounds of a hand-organ out of 
tune, which has obtained for it the colonial name of the Organ Bird. It is 
very easily tamed ; and as it possesses the power of imitation in an extra- 
ordinary degree, it may be readily taught to whistle various tunes as well as 
to articulate words ; it consequently soon becomes a most amusing as well as 
an ornamental bird for the aviary or cage. The stomach is very muscular, 
and the food consists of insects of various kinds, grubs, caterpillars, etc., which 
are procured on the ground.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor has written me : “I have met with this form all over 
Tasmania, where its general habits are very similar to those of the mainland 
White-backed form. Its call also is about identical and its nest and eggs are 
also very similar in every respect.” 
Air. Frank Littler has written me : “ G. hypoleuca is only foimd in Tasmania 
and not in the islands of Bass Straits. This is one of our best songsters, its 
voice being very powerful and pleasing. Early on a summer’s morning nothing 
is more delightful than to hear a number of Magpies pouring forth their melo- 
dious song. Morning and evening are the times for most of the singing. It 
is no uncommon thing to hear them burst into song in the middle of some 
bright moonlight night. It is a very strong flyer, long distances, comparatively 
speaking, being traversed without a perceptible movement of the outstretched 
wing. They are most useful, as they eat the grass grubs and wireworms, the 
larvae of the hepialid moth ( Oncopora intricata) being also a favourite item ; 
about sunrise is its chief feeding time. When not engaged in seeking food 
most of the time is passed among the branches of lofty trees. It moves in 
small flocks of say six to twelve, although occasionally far larger flocks may be 
seen. The largest flock I have seen recently round Launceston consisted of 
forty-seven birds. It is somewhat pugnacious, and at nesting time will fly 
down at any one passing the tree in which the nest is situated.” 
A more complete account had been previously published by Mr. Littler, 
and I note he recorded : “To Tasmania belongs the privilege of being the 
first State to recognise the Magpie as being of economic value and to extend 
protection to it. In 1879, under the Game Protection Act, 42 Viet. No. 24, it 
was decreed that whosoever killed the birds or destroyed their eggs would be 
liable to a penalty not exceeding £1.” 
Miss Fletcher, Messrs. McClymont and H. Stuart Dove have also contributed 
articles to the Emu dealing with the Tasmanian bird and confirming the above 
account. 
McClymont wrote : “ On the 24th July a Magpie flew into a black wattle 
and piped for the space of half an hour — it may have been to please his mate. 
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