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 of the European Crow, and lays three eggs, of a pale vinous brown marked all over with large irregular blotches of brown, one inch and five-eighths long by one inch and a quarter broad.
Its note is much less shrill than that of the Strepera 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.
STREPERA ARGUTA: Gould.
J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith. Hullmandel & Walton Imp.