310 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



Blyth (the young bird) — Nil-Jchant, at Mussooree — Dig-dall, of 

 the Hilhnen at Simla. 



The Red-billed Blue Magpie. 



Descr. — Whole head, neck, and breast, deep black, with a 

 lengthened occipital white band extending from the back of the 

 head down the whole neck, gradually shading to bluisli; some of the 

 feathers of the crown tipped white ; mantle and scapulars ashy 

 cobalt blue, upper tail-coverts the same, with broad black tips ; 

 wings fine rich cobalt blue ; the quills black on their inner webs, 

 and all tipped white ; the tail blue, the central feathers tipped 

 white, and all the others with a black and Avhite tip ; beneath, from 

 the breast whitish, with a tinge of purplish ash. 



Bill coral red ; legs orange ; irides fine red. Length 26 inches, 

 wings 8 ; tail 17 to 18 ; tarsus not quite 2 ; bill at front 1;^. 



This splendid bird is found in the Himalayas, from the far north- 

 west to Nepal, replaced towards the east by the next species. 

 It is found chiefly on the lesser ranges of the hills. Adams states 

 that it is pretty common on the ranges round Simla, Kussowlee, 

 and to the westward, till replaced by U. jiavirostris. It is also 

 said to be found in parts of China. It breeds at about 5,000 feet, 

 making, says Hutton, a loose nest of twigs, externally lined w^ith 

 roots. The nest is built on trees, sometimes high up, at others 

 8 or 10 feet from the ground. The eggs are from three to five, 

 of a dull greenish ash-grey, blotched and spotted with brown 

 dashes, confluent at the larger end. It is very terrene in its habits, 

 feeding almost entirely on the ground. Several of these Magpies 

 will often follow a Leopard for more than a mile, perching on the 

 trees and bushes above it, and keeping up a continual screeching. 

 (Ind. Sport. Rev. 1856.) It is sometimes caged, and bears confine- 

 ment very well. It will eat raw meat, young or small birds, insects, 

 and, indeed, almost any kind of food. 



672. Urocissa flavirostris, Blyth. 



Psilorhinus, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XV. 28— Blyth, Cat. 472— 

 HoiiSF., Cat. 861 — Ti/ l7if/-jongrin(/, ho-pch •,—Piangingjabhring,^\iOt. 



The YiiLLOW-BiLLiiD Blue Magpie. 



Descr. — Whole head, neck, and breast, deep black, with a narrow 

 transverse white occipital band; upper plumage and scapulars 



