AMERICAN MAGPIE l45 



the bird is in a hurry the ordinary walk is sometimes varied to a series 

 of hops. Small droves of magpies were watched by Fisher (1902) as 

 they caught grasshoppers every morning in a field near Mono Lake, 

 CaHf. Their agiUty in dodging and circHng showed how mistaken per- 

 sons are Hkely to be in forming an estimate of a bird under ordinary 

 conditions. "Usually nonchalant and absurdly dignified in their de- 

 meanor, these birds could at times assume the utmost interest in their 

 occupation, and dart with surprising speed here and there." 



Bendire's (1895) comments on flocking in this bird were that: 

 "Although more or less quarrelsome, it is social in disposition and likes 

 to be in the company of its kind. I have frequently seen from twelve 

 to thirty feeding together near a slaughterhouse or some other locality 

 where food was abundant ; but such gatherings are oftener met with in 

 late fall and winter than during the season of reproduction." 



Kelso (1926) records magpies in British Columbia as occurring in 

 winter singly or in small flocks of up to 8 or 10 birds. When they 

 were unusually numerous as many as 10, 20, or even 30 or 40 individuals 

 made up the flock. Winter flocjcs in Washington contain any number 

 of birds up to 50, according to Dice (1917). In western Nebraska, 

 Zimmer (1911) observed magpies to occur abundantly, but usually 

 singly or in pairs, never in flocks. 



It was the opinion of Goss (1891) that the small flocks so often met 

 resulted from the social natures of the birds holding the family groups 

 together. In Nevada, Taylor (1912) observed late in June and early 

 in July that adults and young were traveling in company. According 

 to Dille's (1888) observations in Colorado, after the young are out of 

 the nest and for the balance of the year the birds roam over the country 

 in large flocks. In the same State, Roc.kwell and Wetmore (1914) saw 

 usually not more than six together, although in one November evening 

 a straggling flock of at least 50 was seen flying across a valley. In a 

 detailed study of a small area in Montana, Saunders (1914) learned 

 that all the magpies left after nesting was over. 



One purpose in coming together in flocks is for roosting. In central 

 Nevada, after the nesting season, groups of magpies sometimes roost 

 together in some suitable place. I discovered one of these just after 

 dark late in June 1930. Toward the end of a slough was a thick border 

 of tall willow clumps through which rose vines were tangled. Ten or 

 twenty magpies had just settled in this thicket for roosting. When 

 found they were still making persistent cries. As the birds were dis- 

 turbed they could be heard flying ahead out of the bushes and, finally, 

 in small groups crossing openings. 



Roosting habits of blacjc-billed magpies in western Oklahoma were 



