PICA. 39 



Habits. The Magpie is found in well-wooded parts of the 

 country and near cultivation. Two or more pairs may often be 

 seen in company, and in parts of Kashmir where they are very 

 common several birds may be found together. They do not come 

 ver}"^ low down the hills in winter, and are seldom found below 

 5,000 feet. They ai'e very conspicuous birds on the wing, their 

 black and white plumage, long waving tail and undulating flight 

 quickly attracting the eye. They eat insects, fruit and grain, 

 and their voice is typically harsh and Corvine in character. 



(17) Pica pica serica. 

 The Chinese Magpie. 



Pica serica Gould, P. Z. S., 1845, p. 2 (Amoy, China). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. "Closely allied to the Common Magpie but 

 differs in the wings being blue instead of green, in the rather less 

 extent of the white " (6-'ottW). Gould also says that this form has 

 a larger bill and a much longer tarsus. 



Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in bactriana. 



Distribution. Upper Burmese Hills, through China to South 

 Japan, north to Korea and south to Hainan and Formosa. 



Nidification. This Magpie breeds freely in the Chin and Kachin 

 Hills and in Shan States ni Februar}', March and early April, and 

 eggs were also taken by Stj'an in Foochow in the latter month. 

 In X.E. Chihli, La Touche found it breeding in May and June. 

 Nest and eggs are similar to those of P. ]). hactriana, forty of the 

 eggs averaging 35*5 x 24'3 mm. 



In the Cliin Hills this bird is often victimized by the Koel, aud 

 Col. Harington found many Koels' eggs in Magpies' nests. 



Habits. Similar to those of other members of the genus. 

 According to La Touche it is migratory in China, assembling in 

 large Hocks prior to commencing its journey southwards. In 

 Burma it is resident. 



(18) Pica pica bottanensis. 

 The Black-rumped Magpie. 



Pica bottanensis Delessert, Rev. Zool., 1840, p. 100 (Eutan); Blanf. 

 & Oates, i, p. 25. 



Vernacular names. jNone recorded. 



Description. Similar to the Common Magpie, but with the 

 rump entirely black. It is much larger, with a shorter tail. 

 Colours of soft parts as in F. p. bactriana. 

 Measurements. Length about 52.5 mm. ; wing from 225 to 



