GYMNORHINA. 
59 
blotches over the whole surface, but run together so as to form 
one large patch on the thicker end. Length 19 lines ; breadth 
13 lines. This variety is usually seen in a very long egg. 
Var. D. Ground colour bright light green or sky-blue when 
lirst taken, but fading when kept, having irregular markings of 
light wood-brown very sparingly dispersed over the whole surface. 
Length IS lines breadth 14 lines. 
Var. E. Ground colour very pale sky-blue with distinct oval 
spots of reddish-brown and obsolete spots of lilac. In some 
specimens the spots are of a dark deep lilac, having a penumbra. 
Length from 18 to 20 lines; breadth from 13 to 15 lines. 
Var. E. The ground colour a uniform dull dark brown, with 
numerous minute dots and spots of a deeper hue over the whole 
surface. Length 20 lines ; breadth 13 lines. 
Var. G. Ground colour brownish-white, with spots and dashes 
of wood-brown tinged with lilac, and obsolete lilac spots at the 
larger end. Length 17 lines; breadth 14 lines. 
The nest of the Piping Orow-shrike is a large open structure 
composed of sticks and twigs, lined with grass and hair. It is 
usually placed in the fork of a tree, or among the bushy boughs 
of a species of Anyophora. The eggs are usually three, but 
sometimes four in number. They breed during the months of 
August, September, and October.” (Ramsay, Ibis, 1865, Vol. i., 
New Series, p. 300.) 
Hah. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, 
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New 
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.) 
GYMNORHINA LEUCONOTA, Gray. 
White-backed Crow-shrike. 
Gould, Ilandbk. lids. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 93, p. 176. 
This is a very common species in certain districts in Victoria, 
South Australia and New South Wales. 1 have found it breedimr 
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