Lesions, grossly and histologically typical of pox infection, occurred in a white-backed magpie from Melbourne, Australia. Electron microscopic examination revealed typical poxvirus particles in lesion material. The disease was experimentally transmitted to other magpies, but chickens, turkeys, pigeons and canaries were refractory to experimental infection with magpie poxvirus. The epidemiology of magpie pox and the probable occurrence of pox-like disease in other native Australian birds are discussed.