Part 79

Upper dark-brown spotted buff; rose-lilac opalescent plumes on nape; tail tipped buff, white; abdomen pale creamy-buff, flanks barred dusky brown; f., no rose-lilac plumes. Varied, harsh, plaintive notes, mimics.

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Order XXI. (continued)

The members of the Crow Family--the Corvidae--were considered the most highly-developed of birds--the most highly organized, so far as structure was concerned, and the most intelligent. However, Sharpe has erected the seven Australian Bell-Magpies (Streperas) into a family which, in his Hand-List of Birds is placed at the top of the bird tree.

In the Crow Family many well-known birds are placed. The Jays, Magpie, Daws, Rooks, and Nutcrackers of Europe are not represented in Australia. The Crows and the Raven, however, are represented by closely-related birds.

It is important to tell the difference between the Australian Crow and the Australian Raven, for, we are told, the Crow is all that is good, while the Raven is the reverse.

The ornithologists say it is easy to tell the difference. Just examine the down, say, on the neck. It is white in the Crow, but dusky in the Raven. Unfortunately, the birds will not always wait to permit an examination of the down.

The eye is often mentioned, but hazel-eyed birds have become white-eyed. However, the Raven has lanceolate feathers on the neck, and a rougher, unmusical voice.

The Raven seems the more common bird, though most people will tell you there are no Ravens in their district.

The Apostle-Bird (Gray Jumper), and the White-winged Chough are two of Australia's "anomalous birds." Both go in flocks, so each has been called the "Twelve Apostles." However, the name has become attached to the Gray Jumper.

The White-winged Chough has no close relative in the world; possibly, the Chough that nests in the cliffs of Cornwall is nearest to it.

The Bell-Magpies (Streperas), perhaps better known as Black or Gray Magpies, are now receiving much notice, because of their position at the head of the bird-world. They are restricted to Australia, Tasmania, and Lord Howe Island. A good name is required for these birds, for, of course, they are not Magpies, though they have a white-tipped tail, and there is usually white in the wing, and about the base of the tail. They are fine, large birds, with a variety of notes.

(continued below)

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F. 164. CORVIDAE (5), CROWS, Rook, Raven, Jackdaw, Magpie (Br.), Jay, Nutcracker, Chough, 274 sp.--27(25)A., 73(58)O., 69(53)P., 15(9)E., 43(35)Nc., 73(65)Nl.

3 63

=387 Hazel-eyed Crow=, Corvus coronoides, A.

Nom. c. open, timber 20

Black glossed with purple; white down; hazel eyes; f., smaller. Insects, carrion, fruit, not lambs.

=388 Small-billed Crow=, C. bennetti, W.N.S.W., V., S.A. Like 387, but smaller; bill small; eye white; f., sim. Insects, carrion. "Car" repeated.

Stat. v.r. plains 18.5

=389 Australian Raven=, Crow (e), C. marianae (Corone australis), A., T.

Nom. v.c. plains, timber 20

Black glossed purple; throat feathers lanceolate, tinged green; down dusky-gray; eyes white; f., smaller, lanceolate feathers not so well developed. Locusts, caterpillars, omnivorous, destructive. "Loud, deep Gwar-gwar, varied with shrill, high-sounding Korr-Korr" (North).

1 1

=390* Apostle-Bird=, Gray Jumper, Twelve Apostles, Struthidea cinerea, N. Ter., E.A., S.A. (inland).

Stat. small flocks, r. open timber 13

Gray; wings brown; bill, legs black; eye white; f., sim. Mud nest. Insects. Incessant chattering.