AMERICAN MAGPIE. ^ 



475. Pica pica hiidsonia. 20 inches. 



This handsome member of the Crow family is sure to 

 attract the attention of all who may see him. He is very 

 pert in all his actions, both in trees and on the ground, 

 and is always ready for mischief. In a high wind their 

 long tail often makes traveling a laborious operation for 

 them, and at such times they usually remain quite quiet„ 

 They are very impudent and always on the lookout for 

 .something to steal; they are also very noisy and forever 

 scolding and chattering among themselves. 



Notes. — A loud, harsh "cack," "cack," and an endless 

 variety of whistles and imitations. 



Nest. — A large, globular heap of sticks placed in 

 bushes or trees from four to fifty feet from the groundc 

 The entrance to the nest is on one side and the interioi 

 is made of grass and mud. The four to six eggs are 

 white, thickly specked with yellowish brown ( 1.25 x .90). 



Range. — Western North America, east to the Plains 

 and north to Alaska; resident. 



