The Zoologist/4th series, vol 6 (1902)/Issue 737/Notes on the Lesser White-backed Magpie (''Gymnorhina hyperleuca'') in Tasmania

by Frank Mervyn Littler

 

NOTES ON THE LESSER WHITE-BACKED MAGPIE
(GYMNORHINA HYPERLEUCA) IN TASMANIA

By Frank M. Littler, M.A.O.U.

 

To the majority of people in Tasmania this bird is simply known under the name of "Magpie." In the districts it frequents it is the best known of birds after the ubiquitous House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). It is restricted to certain parts of the island; on the colder and wetter parts of the west coast it is a complete stranger; some efforts, however, have been made to introduce the bird there.

Our Magpie is peculiar to Tasmania, not even being found on any of the islands in Bass Strait. On the mainland of Australia its nearest relation is the Black-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), which has a fairly extensive range, and is the larger bird of the two. There is some slight difference in the colouring of the sexes. In the male the whole of the under surface, head, and cheeks are a beautiful glossy black; the rest of the plumage is white; bill, horn-colour; legs and feet black.

The male bird is a really handsome fellow in the nesting season. He is often to be seen perched on a rail with beak uplifted and chest swelled to the fullest, pouring forth his joyous and melodious song to his mate, who is busy hunting for grubs on the ground close by. How bright and intelligent his eyes are, full of worldly wisdom and cunning, well suited to help their possessor on life's rough path. To the casual observer the most conspicuous difference in the plumage of the female is that the under surface is more of a grey than a black, and the upper surface is very dingy compared with that of the male.

The nest is open and bowl-shaped; sticks and twigs and some strips of eucalypt bark constitute the main items in its composition; the inside lining consists principally of grass stems and shredded bark. The situation usually chosen is in the forked branches of an eucalypt, generally some distance from the ground.

Although the same nest is not occupied during successive years, the same tree is resorted to season after season. Furthermore, a keen observer has given me as his opinion, that should one of a pair nesting in a tree to which they had become attached be killed between nesting seasons, the survivor brings along another mate to the old nesting tree. In exposed positions it is not often that such a frail nest, as it really is, holds together from one season to another. All Magpies have not built their homes of such prosaic materials as twigs and bark. Occasionally some daring spirit is to be found who, ignoring "Mrs. Grundy," has launched out on a plan of its own, much to the scandal of its everything-by-rule-of-thumb neighbours. In well-tilled districts wood becomes very scarce, only isolated giant gums being left here and there. Magpies were in a quandary, not enough suitable building material being easily available for housebuilding, and the problem was thus solved:—The first reapers and binders introduced into Tasmania were the "Walter A. Wood," binding with wire. When the stacks were thrashed the wire on each sheaf was cut and thrown in a heap. With this unpromising material some of the Magpies, in the Longford district more particularly, built their nests. String binders superseded wire, and the Magpies that used wire had to go back to the traditions of their forefathers and employ sticks.

Three and sometimes four eggs are laid. In shape they are oval; the ground colour is light greenish, spotted and blotched all over with amber. Dimensions are about 1½ in. by 1 in. To Tasmania belongs the privilege of being the first State to recognize the Magpie as being of economic value, and to extend protection to it as such. In 1879, under the Game Protection Act, 42 Vic, No. 24, it was decreed that whosoever killed the birds or destroyed their eggs would be liable to a penalty not exceeding £1. In 1885, this Act was extended under 48 Vic, No. 35, so that persons could not buy, sell, or offer for sale birds of this species. Notwithstanding that this Act is still in force, large numbers of young birds are taken annually from their nests and sold as pets to dwellers in the towns.

Some time since, while on a visit to a district in the northern part of the island, I was struck by the total absence of the Magpie. On asking if there was any known reason for it, I was informed that the farmers had destroyed them all, as they considered that they (the birds) pulled up the wheat when in the "milk." I endeavoured to point out what a grave mistake had been made. It was another instance of too hasty conclusions being arrived at through faulty observation. The birds were merely searching among the sprouting grain for their favourite food of grubs and worms. A lamentable number of Magpies are destroyed every year through the careless and indiscriminate laying of poison for rabbits and sparrows. There is a certain number of agriculturists who cannot, and will not, see any good in birds, and consider that even the total annihilation of their feathered friends would have no effect on the many "pests" with which they are plagued. Not long ago a large landowner, who does not poison, picked up no fewer than 200 dead Magpies, besides other birds, that had been poisoned by his neighbours.

The food is almost entirely insectivorous; in the winter seeds and any stray grain are added to the menu. The larvæ of the Hepialid moth Oncopera intricata form its favourite diet, and about sunrise is the chief feeding time. It is very entertaining to watch a Magpie hunting for grubs; it goes about the work in such a business-like manner.

Let us watch one at work. It soon stops short and puts its head on one side, as if saying, "Now I have got you." An instant later the beak is darted down with lightning rapidity and a grub pulled out. It must not be imagined that the grubs are lying full length out of their burrows; their heads only are visible just below the surface of the ground, but quite enough for the sharp-eyed Magpie. When not engaged in seeking food, most of its time is passed among the branches of lofty trees. It moves in small flocks of from six to a dozen individuals, although occasionally far larger flocks may be seen. The largest flock I have seen recently round Launceston consisted of forty-seven birds. Round Conara (the native name for the Magpie), and other midland districts, even larger flocks may be seen.

The Magpie is of a somewhat pugnacious disposition, being always quite willing to cross swords with one of its own species or any other bird, or, if tame, does not scruple to try conclusions with a cat or dog. Hawks are its pet aversion, not an opportunity being lost to harass every one that comes near. On one occasion a Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiter cirrhocephalus) was too clever for its tormentors. Some half dozen Magpies were chasing a Hawk away from a tree which contained a nest and young birds, when suddenly the Hawk doubled and, darting straight for the tree, plucked a young bird from out the nest and sailed triumphantly away. Near a certain farm in the country stands a giant eucalypt, in which a pair of Magpies nest year after year. When there are young in the nest the old birds are very savage, darting down with angry cries on every one passing under the tree.

A Magpie makes a most entertaining and useful pet, though after a time it becomes very mischievous, and delights in pulling up freshly-set plants. I have known one, after watching, say, turnips or onions being thinned out, to go on with the thinning until not a plant remained.

Another bird used to watch the operation of setting young plants very intently, and as soon as one's back was turned commence pulling them all up. As a counterpoise against these bad traits, there is the good one of being a very useful destroyer of insects of all kinds. This bird is one of our best songsters, its voice being very powerful and pleasing. Early on a summer's morning nothing is more delightful than to hear a number of Magpies pouring forth their melodious song while swaying on the topmost twigs of some lofty tree. Morning and evening are the times when most singing is done. It is no uncommon thing to hear them burst into song in the middle of some bright moonlight night, and after having successfully routed a Hawk is another occasion for a triumphal song. The wing-power of this species is very great; it can dash through space with a marvellous rapidity. Long distances (comparatively speaking) are traversed without a perceptible movement of the outstretched wings.

 

Launceston, Tasmania.