BIRDS OF THE OPEN FOREST 
5 ' 
notes. Also called Collared Butcher-bird, Collared Crow-shrike, 
Derwent Jackass, Tasmanian Jackass, and Whistling Jackass. Usually 
in pairs; its rich, mellow, flute-like notes are among the finest of our 
bird songs. It is an early riser and one of the first birds to call. It has 
the true shrike habit of making a “larder”, hanging parts of its “kill" 
on thorns or in small forks of a tree, to be eaten at leisure. It is a 
menace to caged birds, visiting the cages and tearing off the legs, wings, 
or heads of the occupants when they fly against the wire. Food, 
insects of various kinds, chiefly beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers; 
also small reptiles, birds, and field-mice. 
nest. A shallow, cup-shaped structure, composed of twigs, rootlets 
and vine-tendrils; lined with rootlets, dead grasses, and other material. 
Usually built in an upright forked branch of a tree, at heights up to 
40 feet or more from the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, varying in pale shades of greyish-green, greyish- 
blue, olive, and light brown, spotted and blotched with dull reddish- 
brown, purplish-red, or chestnut-brown, the markings being confined 
almost entirely to the larger end, often forming a zone. Breeding- 
season; August to January. 
4. Black-backed Butcher-bird Cracticus mentalis Salvadori and 
D’Albertis. 
men-ta'-lis— L., mentalis, chinned. 
distribution. Northern Queensland (Cape York district only); 
also occurs in New Guinea. 
notes. Usually in pairs; it is similar in habits to the Grey Butcher¬ 
bird; its notes are also similar, but are very much weaker, and can only 
be heard a short distance away. Food: insects, chiefly beetles. 
nest. A shallow, cup-shaped structure, composed of sticks; lined 
with strong grass-roots. Placed in the forked branches of a tree in 
forest country, at heights up to 35 feet or more from the ground. 
eggs. Usually three, pale greenish-grey or pale brown, spotted and 
blotched with reddish-brown, purplish-brown, and dull slate markings, 
chiefly at the larger end. Breeding-season: October to December. 
5. Pied Butcher-bird Cracticus nigrogularis Gould 
ni-gro-gu-la'-ris —L., niger, black; L., gulaiis, thioated. 
distribution. Australia (except southern Victoria and south¬ 
western Australia). 
notes. Also called Black-throated Butcher-bird, Black-throated 
Crow-shrike, and Organ-bird. Usually in isolated pairs. It possesses the 
most musical flute-like notes of any of our birds, heard at their best at 
break of day. An attractive bird in addition to its song, and somewhat 
retiring in its habits. It will defend its nest vigorously, a habit of all 
Butcher-birds. Food: insects, principally beetles and crickets; also 
mice, reptiles, and small birds. 
