388 LAND BIRDS 
Geographical Distribution: California west of the Sierra Nevada, from 
Sacramento south to Los Angeles. 
Breeding Range: In the Sonoran zone west of the Sierra Nevada moun- 
tains, north to Red Bluff, south to Santa Paula, 
Breeding Season: April, May, and June. 
Nest : Similar to that of the black-billed magpie ; placed in oaks, syca- 
mores, and willows, from 25 to 50 feet from the ground. 
Eggs: 7; greenish gray, more or less marked with brown over the whole 
surface. Size 1.25 X 0.86. 
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THe Yellow-billed Magpie is identical with the pre- 
ceding species except in the color of the bill, which is 
yellow, varying from bright straw-color in birds found in 
central California to dull grayish buff in those inhabit- 
ing the northeastern portion. He is nearly two inches 
shorter than the black-billed, and smaller in proportion. 
His call-note also is less harsh and loud, being somewhat 
like “ quee-quee-quee ” instead of “ chack-chack” or 
“quat-quat”’ of the larger species. The breeding habits 
are identical; a full description will be found under the 
preceding species. Much persecution is rapidly decimat- 
ing this variety, and where it was abundant twenty years 
ago it is now scarce. Although much more restricted 
in its range than that of the black-billed, it is found 
in more thickly populated portions of the State about 
Sacramento valley and is a better known bird. It is 
this species that first arrests the attention of the tourist 
as the Eastern train pulls slowly into Sacramento. 
Eminently social, like all their family, these birds have 
a certain esprit de corps which leads them to forage in 
bands, making common cause against an enemy or plot- 
ting wickedness together, talking incessantly as only 
they can do. 
