CORVID^ — THE CROWS. 305 



with a fulvous tinge on the breast, the bill and feet yellow. In both the 

 under surface of tail is brown to the end. In 23,917 the under parts, from 

 breast to crissum inclusive, with the tibise, are brownish-white, the tail- 

 feathers (excepting the two median) tipped with white for over an inch, the 

 bill and feet black. This one alsd has an obscure dull bluish wash or 

 patch along the feathers of the ramus of lower jaw not observed in other 

 specimens. 



The specimens collected by Lieutenant Couch, and described in the Pacific 

 Railroad Report are considerably smaller, and exhibit other differences which 

 may prove of specific importance. In this case they will appropriately bear 

 Riippell's name of P. mexicanus. 



Habits. This is a Mexican species, occasionally extending its movements 

 as far north as the valley of the Rio Grande, and probably crossing our lines 

 into Texas, although of this there is as yet no positive evidence. 



Specimens of this species were procured by Lieutenant Couch at Boquillo, 

 San Diego, and at China, in north-eastern Mexico, and were found by him 

 living in forests of high trees. It is Jay-like in its habits, being decidedly 

 gregarious, and having harsh and loud notes. Though making more noise 

 than any other bird in the neighborhood, if one of their number is brought 

 down by the discharge of a gun, the noise hushes them at once, and the rest 

 move off in perfect silence. 



Mr. Sumichrast, in his paper on the Distribution of the Birds of Vera 

 Cruz, states that this species abounds in both the hot and the temperate 

 regions of that department, and, indeed, the greater portions of Vera Cruz. 

 He speaks of it as a bird well known and generally detested on account of 

 its troublesome and noisy habits. It is found everywhere except in the 

 alpine region, and it does not appear ever to go beyond a vertical elevation 

 of 4,500 feet. This gentleman has been assured that the bird never makes 

 any nest of its own, but invariably lays its eggs in those belonging to other 

 birds. He does not so state, but we infer that lie means to convey the idea 

 that this Jay appropriates the nests of other birds in which to hatch its own 

 young, not that, like the Cowbird, it leaves its eggs to be brought up by 

 strangers. 



This Jay was met with by Mr. G. C. Taylor at Taulevi, in Honduras ; and 

 from that place eastward, as far as the Atlantic, he found it very common. 

 It was generally seen or heard shrieking in the Ijushes by the roadsides. It 

 was also found by Mr. Salvin to occur on the eastern road between Quiriqua 

 and Iguana, on the road to Guatemala. 



Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common both in Honduras and 

 the Belize. It occurred in small flocks, which were very noisy, and annoyed 

 the hunter by always giving the alarm. 



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