CORVlDiE — THE CROWS — CYANURA. 



297 



are mucli as detailed for the yellow-billed magpie, and indeed it is almost 

 a qnestion whether the yellow bill of the latter is any more than a mere per- 

 manent form of a variation in this respect seen in many jays, as Psilorkinus 

 morio, Cyaniira Becclieiji, etc. Our bird is said not to be so much at home 

 with man as the European species, but resembles it in most of its habits. It 

 is a source of great annoyance to AVestern men from its fondness for light- 

 ing on the backs of horses and mules, and picking at any sore places it 

 may find, causing the animals to run away or roll over to get rid of their 

 tormentors, and often to the detriment of their load, or to their personal 

 injury. The magpies feed largely on carrion and the refuse of camps, 

 although nothing comes amiss to them, — eggs, young birds, fruits, etc. 



Mr. J. K. Lord found this bird on Vancouver's Island, as well as at Fort 

 Colville, and says that they liuild in jMarcli, in dense thickets, often very 

 near the fish-crows, constructing a similar covered nest, and laying seven or 

 eight eggs. Great numbers were poisoned at the camp of the Boundary 

 Commission in winter, Itecause they became so troublesome to sore-backed 

 horses. They were so tame and impudent that he often gave them food 

 from his hand ' 



Genus CYANURA, Swaixson. 



Ci/annnis, Swaikson, Fauna Bor. Amcr. II. 1831, 495, Appendix. (Type, Corvus crislatiis, 



LlNNyEUR.) 



Ci/anocitta, Cauanis, Miis. Hein. 1851. Not of Stricklanil, 1845. 



Gkx. CiiAi!. Head crested. Winfjs and tail bhio, -Hith transverse black bars ; head 

 and back of the same color. Bill rather slender, somewhat broader than high at the base ; 



culmen about ennal in length to the head. Nostrils larfje, nearly circnlar, concealed 

 by bristles. Tail about as long as the wings, lengthened, graduated. Hind claw large, 

 longer than its digit. 



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