104 Wyoming Experiment Station. 



lector has reported them. The National Museum has 16 skins 

 or more taken from various places in the state. The Universi- 

 ty collection contains upwards of a dozen skins. 



CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. 



475. Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.). 

 Magpie. 



Resident and common. They breed up to 8,000 feet, and 

 are occasionally seen above that elevation. They select a stream 

 where there are willow trees with very thick brushy tops in 

 which to build their nests, which are very bulky affairs made 

 of sticks and well enclosed. Those that I have examined 

 usually have but one opening, while others have two nearly op- 

 posite. On the Laramie plains they nest late in April and 

 lay from five to nine eggs. It is a common practice in the 

 west to catch the young birds in early June and place them 

 in a cage, where they become very tame and usually talk as 

 well as a parrot. Many people keeping these birds have be- 

 lieved it necessary to split their tongues before they could 

 learn to talk. This is wholly unnecessary and cruel and should 

 be prevented by law if not stopped. Nearly all of the mag- 

 pies that I have seen in captivity talk more or less. 



The magpie is very common all over the state below 8,000 

 feet. They usually live near a ranch or a settlement ; but are 

 seldom seen near towns. In some respects they are a nuisance, 

 since they are always stealing fresh meat and eggs if it is 

 possible. On the other hand they feed to a large extent upon 

 carrion and in this way are serviceable. In two instances 

 ranchmen have told me that they have troubled cattle or horses 

 that have sores upon their backs. This is, however, exception- 

 al. All collectors of Wyoming birds have noticed this scold- 

 ing but remarkably beautiful bird, consequently the data will 

 not be included here. 



Concerning these birds talking I have secured the fol- 

 lowing data : 



