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X. On a new Genus in the Family of Corvide. By Mr. Joun Gourp, F.L.S. Commu- 
nicated by the Secretary. 
Read May 14, 1833. 
In bringing before the notice of the Society three species of a natural group of birds 
forming part of the Family of Corvide, one of which I have reason to believe is new 
to science, I am actuated by two motives: the first is a wish to establish the right of 
the present group to rank as a distinct genus, separate from that of Pica, to which 
it has hitherto been assigned; and the second to delineate the characters of a species 
which appears to have been until now unobserved. 
The examples of the present group, although bearing a great similarity to the genus 
Pica, may be easily discriminated by an attentive observer of the forms of Ornithology, 
as possessing in common certain distinct characteristics, harmonizing with their habits 
and manners, as detailed by observers in their native country, and which analogy would 
lead us to anticipate. 
Although the true Pies are classed among birds inhabiting trees, still their lengthened 
and strong tarsi and powerful pointed bills endow them with powers for gaining their 
subsistence almost exclusively on the ground ; their food, in fact, consists of such sub- 
stances as are only to be acquired there, such as grubs, worms, snails, and occasionally 
putrid animal matter. On the other hand, the birds of the group under consideration 
possess characters of an almost opposite description, indicating their habitat to be more 
exclusively the branches of trees: the tarsi are short and comparatively feeble ; the tail 
is more elongated than in the typical species of the genus Pica (the Common Magpie, 
for example), and its feathers are considerably more spatulate, and equally graduated, 
excepting the two middle ones, which exceed the others nearly as much again as their 
due distance. To this may be added, that the beak is also of a very different con- 
struction, being much broader at the base, shorter, and of an incurved form, and ex- 
cellently adapted for taking fruits and berries, but not for digging in the ground in 
search of larve: the nostrils are only partially covered with hair-like feathers. 
On account of the arboreal habits of the birds composing the group which is thus 
distinguished, I propose for them the generic appellation of Dendrocitta. 
Respecting the most common species of this genus, the Pica vagabunda of authors, it 
may be observed, that this name has been given to it from its restless and wandering 
