BIRDS OF THE OPEN FOREST 
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14. Pied Currawong Strepera graculina Shaw 
grac-u-li'-na—L., graculimis, like a graculus, jackdaw. 
distribution. Eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. 
notes. Also called Pied Crow-shrike, Black Magpie, and Mutton- 
bird. Congregates in flocks, small or large, according to the seasons of 
the year. Frequents all classes of country, its movements being influ¬ 
enced by the food-supply available; derives its name from its call, 
“Curra-wong—curra-wong—curra-wack”. It is one of our worst bird 
pests; apart from the damage it does in orchards and in spreading 
the prickly pear, it destroys countless numbers of useful species of 
birds, eating both their eggs and young. 
nest. A large, open, roughly formed structure, composed of twigs 
and sticks; lined with rootlets, bark-fibre, and other fine materials. 
Usually built in an upright or leaning forked branch of a tall tree, 
generally in inaccessible positions. 
eccs. Two to four, usually three, varying from pale brown to pale 
vinous-brown, faintly freckled, blotched, or streaked with darker 
shades of the ground colour. Breeding-season: September to January. 
15. Brown Currawong Strepera intermedia Sharpe 
in-ter-med'-i-a —L., mtermediuSt intermediate. 
distribution. South Australia (Port Lincoln). 
notes This is an intermediate form between the Black-winged 
Currawong and the Grey Currawong, with habits similar to both 
species. 
nest. Similar to those of the above two species. 
eccs. Similar to those of the above two species. 
16. Raven Corvus coronoides Vigors and Horsfield 
Qoy'.yus _L., corvus, crow: cor-on-oid'-cs Gk, corone, raven, - oides , 
from Gk, eidos, form = like. 
distribution. Eastern Australia to as far north as Rockhampton, 
southern Australia to Perth, and Tasmania. 
_. n T r s In the breeding-season it is usually in pairs, but in the autumn 
and winter it is gregarious. Prefers open country where it spends most 
VhP dav returning to the timbered areas at dusk. It is a particularly 
wary bird and difficult to approach. It is exceedingly destructive during 
™lomhinir-season, picking out the eyes of lambs. The call-note, 
"ink » a loud and deep -Gwar^ar-gwar-r", 
varied with a shrill “Korr-korr”. This species is omnivorous, but 
prefers the flesh of animals; it also destroys large numbers of insects. 
A larcre open, rather deep structure, composed of sticks and 
--•lined with strips of bark, grasses, hair, and wool. Usually placed 
in the forked branches of a tall tree. 
