BLACK BUTCHER-BIRD. 
Camp. Usually this bird is found where the mangroves are tall and dense, but 
is occasionally seen on the outskirts of the belts of this growth. It keeps to 
the same localities and can be heard if not seen day after day near the same 
spot, as it is a noisy bird with strange loud notes and although difficult to see 
can often be heard. I have never seen this species away from the mangroves, 
and am told bv the natives it never leaves them. Jan. 30th, 1912. Adults 
and two young to-day, so this species has bred lately.” 
Campbell and Barnard wrote : “ The Black Butcher-Bird is a melodious 
songster. Its notes are rich and flute-like. One of its songs has three distinct 
notes interposed with softer ones. When sufficiently far enough away from 
the singer so as to lose the softer sounds, the three dominant notes remind 
you of the trivial round ‘ Three blind mice.’ ” 
Cornwall investigated the relationship of the Brown and Black Birds 
after Cochrane had recorded : “ Singing early morning 15th July. Fancy 
the brown one is the male (?) ; some of the blacks say it is. The brown birds 
are apparently not so numerous as the black ones.” 
Cornwall first noted : “I found the nest. I was quickly up alongside 
the nest which contained three nearly full-fledged young ones, and you can 
judge the interest I felt when I found that two of them were brown and the 
other jet black. I have got the interesting little strangers at home. . . . 
It is very evident to me that, whilst the adult birds of each sex are quite 
black, the male being black at all ages, the female’s immature plumage is 
brown.” A photo was published showing the young birds in the nest. Next 
year Cornwall added : “I found three nests last year, in two of which one 
young one was brown and two black, and in the other two brown and one 
black. I have found three nests this year ; one had three young and the 
others two each, but all were black. In every case the two parent birds were 
black. After watching the young birds in captivity it w'ould not surprise 
me to find that the brown birds are males, for they seem to be hardier and to 
feather quicker than the black ones. Then, again, we very often note the 
young brown one warbling very quietly to itself but have not noticed the 
black ones doing it.” 
Cornwall later wrote : “ My birds moulted in February and March and 
took on the complete black plumage, which proves that the brown bird assumes 
the black plumage after the first moult. How did Le Souef get on with those 
I sent him ? ” Mr. D. Le Souef replied : “ Mr. E. M. Cornwall kindly sent 
me from Cairns, Queensland, three Butcher-Birds from one nest. Two were 
brown and one black. The black one died shortly after, and proved to be a 
female ; one of the brown went next, and it proved to be a male ; the other 
brown one lived for two years, but at the end of the second year lost his brown 
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