104 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
475. Macpte (Pica pica hudsonia.) 
The Magpie is more or less common along the Missouri 
River and westward in our State, where it is an annual resident. 
It strays eastward sometimes during the winter. Specimens 
have been taken at Vermillion in December and January. 
The bird is about twenty inches in length, including a 
very long tail. Head and back black; tail and large wing feath- 
ers glossy black; upper wing feathers and belly white. 
There is no mistaking this beautiful, interesting and rogu- 
ish bird. Its harsh notes inform you of its presence and warn 
you that you are intruding upon its premises. The nest is a 
bulky affair, sometimes two or three feet in diameter, built of 
coarse sticks and placed in low, bushy trees. The nest proper is 
placed in the center of the mass of sticks, and it is almost im-_ 
possible for a larger animal to-get near the seven to nine eggs. 
477. Buiue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata cristata.) 
About eleven inches in length. Above, including its crest, 
light blue, slightly marked with white and black; below, gray. 
Easily identified by its harsh call, “jay, jay.” 
The beautiful color of the Blue Jay belies his character. 
While ideal about their own nests, these birds frequently rifle 
other birds’ nests and kill their young. They have thieving pro- 
pensities and often secrete food like Woodpeckers. 
484. Canapa JAY; Camp Rosser (Perisoreus canadensis canadensis.) 
An annual resident of the Black Hills. Same in size as 
the Blue Jay. Above, gray except back part of head, which is 
much darker; below, whitish. Considered a pest around logging 
camps. 
486. Raven (Corvus corax sinuatus.) 
While frequently seen along the Missouri River and west- 
ward in early days, it is found at present only as a straggler in 
the Black Hills. é 
It is similar to the common Crow in plumage, but larger, 
and easily identified by its size, particularly by its large bill. 
Habits much the same as the Crow except that in nesting 
it is more likely to choose a rock shelf or cliff than a tree. 
