376 HISTORY OF THE 



known to straggle in winter to northern Illinois and Michigan; 



south to Arizona. 



Sp. Char. "Bill aud naked skin behind the eye black; general color black. 

 The belly, scapulars and inner webs of the primaries white; hind part of back 

 grayish; exposed portion of tail feathers glossy green, tinged with purple and 

 violet near the end; wings glossed with green; the secondaries and tertials with 

 blue; throat feathers spotted with white in yoiuiger specimens. Young: In 

 color and appearance similar, generally, to the adult." 



stretch of 



Iris brownish black; legs, feet and claws black. 



These birds inhabit the open woods and trees skirting the 

 streams. They are quite common in the central portion of their 

 range. I have found them quite abundant in Colorado, espe- 

 cially along the streams in the foot hills, or lower portion of moun- 

 tain regions. From all appearances they remain mated during 

 the year, but being of rather a social nature are often met with 

 in small flocks or family groups. They are shy, wary, crafty, 

 noisy birds, and where hunted much, rather difficult to capture, 

 not as a rule wildly flying aM'ay, but rather seem to delight for 

 a short time in tempting one -to follow, by scolding and fussing 

 about, just out of reach. In flight they are sustained by rapid 

 strokes of the wings, and while quite swift and direct, the eft'ort 

 is too great for an extended flight. 



Its voice is capable of producing a variety of sounds, from a 

 harsh clatter to soft, whistling notes. When taken young they 

 are easily tamed, and soon learn to perform various tricks, and 

 to fairly imitate many words, but like all of the family are great 

 thieves, and cannot resist the temptation to carry away and hide, 

 especially any small, bright or shining article, and they are there- 

 fore not desirable pets. In their food habits omnivorous, feed- 

 ing freely upon offal, carrion, insects, fruits, nuts and grains. 

 The slaughter houses have great attractions for them. I secured 

 my first bird at one. 



Their nests are placed in low, scrubby trees and bushes, along 

 the streams, usually from six to fifteen feet from the ground. 

 They are composed of sticks and twigs, tlie inside plastered with 



