54 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
11. Black Currawong Strepera fuliginosa Gould 
fu-ll'-gin-o-sa —L., fuliginosus , sooty. 
Distribution .— Tasmania and King Island (Bass Strait). 
Notes .— Also called Sooty Crow-shrike and Black Jay. Usually in 
flocks ; it is bold and inquisitive and incessantly noisy. It is considered a 
pest, doing considerable damage in gardens and orchards; it also eats 
chickens and ducklings. 
Nest. —A large, open structure, composed of sticks; lined with root¬ 
lets and grass. Usually built in an upright forked branch of a tall tree. 
Eggs. —Two or three, purplisli-buff, spotted and blotched with dull 
purplish-brown and reddish-brown shades, closer together at the larger 
end. Breeding-season: September to December. 
12. Clinking Currawong Strepera arguta Gould 
ar-gu-ta —L., argutus, clear-voiced. 
Distribution .—Tasmania. 
Notes .—Also called Hill Crow-shrike and Black Jay. Usually in 
small parties during the breeding-season ; congregates in large flocks in 
autumn and winter. Frequents the hilly country chiefly, and is the largest 
of the group; it derives its name from its call, a loud ringing series of 
notes "Clink, clink/' or "Kling-klang.” Food : insects chiefly, and native 
fruits and berries. 
Nest. —A round, deep, cup-sliaped structure, composed of sticks; lined 
with fibrous roots and other fine materials. Generally placed on a horizon¬ 
tal branch of a tree at various heights from the ground. 
Eggs. —Usually three, varying from dull vinous-white to vinous-grey, 
streaked, spotted, or irregularly blotched with pale brown, and other 
underlying markings of bluish-grey. Breeding-season: August to 
December. 
13. Grey Currawong Strepera versicolor Latham 
ver-si-col-or —L., versicolor, different coloured. 
Distribution. — Eastern and southern Australia. 
Notes .— Also called Grey Crow-shrike, Grey Magpie, Rain-bird, and 
Squeaker. In the breeding-season it is met with in small flocks, but con¬ 
gregates in large flocks during autumn and winter. In habits it is similar 
to the other Currawongs. Food : insects, chiefly procured on the ground; 
also native fruits and berries. 
Nest .— Similar in structure and size to those of the other Curra¬ 
wongs. 
Eggs. —Two or three, varying from pale buff and chocolate-brown 
to rich vinous-brown and vinous-grey, with freckles, streaks, and small 
blotches of darker shades of the ground colour. Breeding-season: Sep¬ 
tember to December. 
