GYMNORHINA TIBICEN.
Piping1 Crow-Shrike.
Coracias Tibicen, Lath. Ind. Om., Supp., xxvii.—Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. vii. p. 405.
Barita Tibicen, Temm. Man., part i. p. li.—Less. Traité d’Om., p. 345.
Piping Roller, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iii. p. 86. no. 23.
Cracticus Tibicen, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 260.—Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.
Gymnorhina Tibicen, G. R. Gray, List of Gen, of Birds, 2nd edit. p. 50.
Ca-ruck, Aborigines of New South Wales.
T h i s species is universally diffused over the colony of New South Wales, to which part o f the Australian
continent I believe its habitat to be confined. It is true that a bird o f this genus inhabits the neighbourhood
o f Swan Birar, whose sise and Sÿle o f plumage is very similar, but which I have l l t j l f doubt will
prove to be distinct. In fact, from wbat we see in other instances, it is natural to expect; that there
would be a species o f this genus on the western as well as on the eastern side' o f the- country, and that
they would, as representatives o f each other, be very nearly allied ; I shall therefore consider the habitat
o f the present bird to be restricted to New South Wales until I have further proofs to the contrary.
The Gymnorhina Tihken is a bold and showy bird, which, when not harassed and driven away, greatly
enlivens and ornaments the lawns and gardens o f the colonists by its presence, and with the slightest
protection from molestation becomes so tame and familiar that it approaches elosa to their dwellings,
and perchés! round them and the stock yards in small families o f from six to ten in number. Nor
is^ its morning carol less amusing and attractive than its pied and strongly contrasted plumage is pleasing
to the eye.. To describe the notes o f this bird.is beyond the power o f my pen, and it is a source of regret
to myself that my readers cannot, as I have done, listen to them in their native wilds, or that the bird is
not introduced into this country in sufficient numbers for it to become generally known ; a more amusing
and easily-kept denizen for the aviary could not be selected. As it dwells in New South Wales all the year
round, breeds upon the trees bordering the cleared lands, and constructs a nest as large and conspicuous
as that o f the Crow o f our own island, there can be no difficulty in procuring as many young ones as
might be desired ; and I trust, therefore, that whenever opportunities occur for sending living examples to
England they will not be neglected.
Cleared lands, open flats and plains skirted by belts o f trees are its favourite localities, hence the interior
of the country is more favourable to its habits than the neighbourhood o f the coast.
It lives almost entirely on insects, which are generally procured on the ground, and the number of
locusts and grasshoppers it devours is immense. In captivity it subsists upon animal food o f almost every
kind, and that berries and fruits would be equally acceptable I have but little doubt.
The breeding-season commences in August and lasts until Januaiy, during which period two broods are
.generally reared by each pair o f birds. The nest is round, deep and open, composed outwardly o f sticks,
leaves, wool, &c., and lined with any finer materials.that may be at hand. The eggs are either three or four
in number; their colour and size I regret to say I cannot give, having unfortunately neglected to procure
them while in New South Wales. Of two other and much rarer species I possess the eggs ; and although I
might from analogy proceed to describe those o f the present bird from them, I refrain from so doing.
The young assume the plumage o f the adult from the nest, and no change takes place from age or season.
Crown o f the head, cheeks, throat, back, all the under surface, seapularies, secondaries, primaries and
tips o f the tail-feathers black ; wing-coverts, nape of the neck, upper and under tail-coverts, and base o f the
tail-feathers white ; bill bluish ash-colour at the base, passing into black at the tip ; ¡rides rich reddish hazel •
legs black.
The Plate represents the male and female, with the nest, rather less than the natural size.