BIRDS OF KANSAS. 375 



Length. 



Male 7.30 



Female ... 6.90 



Iris brown; bill dark brown to dnsky, with under bluish white 

 at base; legs and feet blackish; claws black. 



This western form does not differ in habits or actions from 

 the Prairie Horned Lark. Nest and eggs similar. 



Family CORVIDJE. Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. 



"Primaries ten; the first short, generally about half as long as the second 

 (or a little more); the outer four siuuated on the inner edge. The nasal fossa 

 and nostrils usually more or less concealed by narrow, stiffened bristles (or 

 l)ristly feathers), with short, appressed lateral branches extending to the very 

 tip, all directed forward (these bristles occasionally wanting). Tarsi scutel- 

 late anteriorly, the sides undivided (except sometimes below), and separated 

 from the anterior plates by a narrow, naked strip, sometimes filled up with small 

 scales. Basal joint of middle toe united about equally to the lateral, generally 

 for about half the length. Bill generally notched." 



Subfamily GAERULIN^. Magpies and Jays. 



"Wings short, rounded; not longer or much shorter than the tail, which is 

 graduated, sometimes excessively so. Wings reaching not much beyond the 

 lower tail coverts. Bristly feathers at base of bill variable. Bill nearly as long 

 as the head, or shorter. Tarsi longer than the bill or middle toe. Outer lateral 

 claws rather shorter than the inner." 



Genus PICA Brisso:n-. 

 "Tail very long, forming much more than half the total length; the feathers 

 much graduated; the lateral scarcely more than half the middle. First primary 

 falcate, curved, and attenuated. Bill about as high as broad at base; the cul- 

 meu and gonys much curved, and about equal; the bristly feathers reaching 

 nearly to the middle of the bill. Nostrils nearly circular. Tarsi very long; 

 middle toe scarcely more than two-thirds the length. A patch of naked skin 

 beneath and behind the eye." 



Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.). 



AMERICAN MAGPIE. 

 PLATE XXIV. 



Formerly a resident; rare; now an occasional fall and winter 

 visitant. Begin laying early in April. 



B. 432. Pv. 286. C. 347. G. 145, 183. U. 475. 



Habitat. Western North America (not found in California); 

 north to Alaska; east to the edge of the plains; casually farther; 



