THE CROWS. Il 
with a body about the size of the House-Crows. In colour 
the Blue Pie is a rich purple blue with the head and 
neck jet black and the bill and feet scarlet. There is a 
white patch at the back of the head, and the wings and 
tail are tipped with white. The belly is also white, but 
with a strong tinge of blue. On the whole this is cer- 
tainly the most beautiful member of the Crow family 
found in any country. I have never seen this bird ex- 
cept in captivity, but even so, its appearance is so strik- 
ing that I can sympathize with the great admiration 
expressed by those friends of mine who have seen it 
flying at large. In the Indian hills it ranges from five 
thousand feet to a considerably higher elevation, being 
common near some of our stations; but in Burma, where 
it is also found, it inhabits the plains as well. It is 
constantly brought down to Calcutta in the winter and 
does well in captivity there. Specimens can be bought 
at the proper season for about ten rupees or less; and a 
few have reached Europe. where they would probably de 
well out doors in mild climates. 
The bird is known as Nilkhant at Mussoorie and 
Diggdall at Simla. It builds at varying heights; the 
nest is open, but the eggs are greenish with brown spots like 
the English Magpie’s. 
The so-called Australian Magpie is really a shrike, and 
will be described under that heading. It is commonly 
imported. The bird usually called the Blue-Jay in 
India, is also wrongly named, being really a Roller: 
it will be dealt with in its turn. Meanwhile it may 
be mentioned that the real Jays are well represented in 
