S T R E P E R À F Ü L W J r a © S A : í S / « t í .
STREPERÀ FULIGINOSA, Gould.
Sooty Crow-Shrike.
Cracticus fuliginosus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part IV. p. 106.
Coronica fuliginosa, Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.
Black Magpie, of the Colonists.
T h e great stronghold of this species is the island of Van Diemen’s Land, in which it is a permanent resident ;
but its range extends to the islands in Bass’s Straits, and a few individuals have been found in South
Australia. Its browner colouring, more arched and gibbose bill, its smaller size, and the absence o f the
white colouring o f the under tail-coverts and o f the base o f the primaries, are characters by which it may
at once be distinguished from all the other members o f the group. The localities it frequents are also of a
different description, those preferred being low swampy grounds in the neighbourhood o f the sea and woods
bordering rivers. Like the other species of the genus, it subsists on insects and grubs o f various kinds, to
which pulpy seeds and berries are frequently added.
It is very active on the ground, running over the surface with a motion between a run and a hop with
great rapidity.
It breeds in the low trees, constructing a large, deep and cup-shaped nest very similar to that o f the
European Crow, and lays three eggs, o f a pale vinous brown marked all over with large irregular blotches
o f brown, one inch and five-eighths long by one inch and a quarter broad.
Its note is much less shrill than that of the Streperà arguta.
I have seen this bird in a state of captivity, and it appeared to bear confinement remarkably well.
The sexes present no visible difference except in size, the female being smaller than the male ; they may
be thus described
All the plumage sooty black, with the exception of the ends of the primaries and all but the two
middle tail-feathers, which are white ; irides bright yellow ; .bill and feet black.
The figures are of the natural size.