THE CROW TRIBE 



1487 



The azure-winged magpie {Cyanopica cooki], on account of certain 



IU M~ " Differences, is regarded as representing a genus apart from the typical 



pies; and is one of the handsomest of European birds. In color, the 



head and upper part of the neck are coal black, the back and mantle brownish gray, 



the throat grayish white, the under parts light fawn gray, and the wings and tail 



light greenish blue. This bird is selected for notice on account of the remarkable 



geographical distribution of the genus to which it belongs. Thus the typical 



azure-winged magpie is confined to certain districts of Spain and Portugal, where 



AZURE-WINGED MAGPIE. 



( One-half natural size. ) 



it is far from common, and very local, breeding in small colonies, and generally re- 

 sorting to districts where evergreen oaks are abundant. Unknown elsewhere in 

 Europe, this bird is replaced in China by an almost identical form distinguished 

 by its superior size, and generally grayer tone of coloration, the same form also 

 occurring in Japan. Such an instance of discontinuous distribution is scarcely 

 paralleled among the Passerines. In disposition the azure-winged pie is de- 

 scribed as being an active and intelligent bird, building a nest very like that of the 

 common jay. 



