5* 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
nest. An open and fairly deep structure, composed of sticks and 
twigs; lined with dried grasses and rootlets. Usually built in the 
upright forked branch of a tree up to 40 feet from the ground. 
Favourite nesting trees are gums and oaks. 
eggs. Three to five, usually four, greyish-green, pale olive, or pale 
brown, spotted and blotched or thinly freckled with darker shades 
of the ground colour, or with shades of brown and some black spots, 
often with well-defined caps at the larger end. Breeding-season: August 
to December or January. 
6. Western Magpie Gymnorhina dorsalis Campbell 
Gym-no-rhin'-a— Gk, gymnos, bare; Gk, rhis (rhinos), nose: dors-a'-lis— 
L., dorsalis, backed. * 
distribution. South-western Australia. 
notes. Similar in habits to the Black-backed Magpie. 
nest. A large, bowl-shaped structure, composed of sticks and twigs; 
lined with bark, grass, wool, hair, or fur. Usually placed at heights up 
to 40 feet or more from the ground. 
eggs. Three to five, four being the usual clutch. A typical clutch 
is pale bluish-white, almost obliterated with smudges and blotches of 
umber, brownish-red, and pale purplish-slate. Breeding-season: July 
to February. 
7. White-backed Magpie Gymnorhina hypoleuca Gould 
hy-po-leuc'-a—G k, hypo, under; Gk, leucos, white. 
distribution. Southern Australia (except south-western portion), 
central Australia, and Tasmania; introduced into New Zealand. 
notes. Similar in habits to the Black-backed Magpie. 
nest. Similar to that of the Black-backed Magpie. 
eggs. Similar to those of the Black-backed Magpie. 
8. Black-backed Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Latham 
tl-bV-cen— L., tibicen, a flute-player. 
distribution. Australia (except southern Victoria and south¬ 
western Australia); introduced into New Zealand. 
notes. Also called Piping Crow-shrike, Varied Crow-shrike, Organ- 
bird, Flute-bird, and Singing White Crow. Few birds are better known 
than the Magpies, either in a wild state or in captivity. The Black- 
backed Magpie, like other Magpies, shows a preference for open forest 
country, partly cleared lands, and cultivation paddocks. It is very useful 
in destroying all manner of insect pests. Its song is a delightful carol 
of melodious flute-like notes heard at its best in the early morning; 
this is one of the outstanding bird songsters of the world. It will 
protect its home vigorously, inflicting severe punishment on an 
intruder. 
