1488 



THE PERCHING BIRDS 



The magpies included in the genus Urodssa are distin- 



ivi aCTpiGs *iii 1 i 



guished by having the nostrils covered with soft plumes instead of 



stiff bristles, and situated near the base of the bill. They further differ from 





RED-BILLED BLUE MAGPIE. 

 (Two-fifths natural size.) 



the pies in having the bill either red or 

 yellow, but never black; and they are all 

 characterized by the predominance of azure 

 blue in their plumage. Unlike the true 

 magpies, they build open nests. One 

 species is found in Formosa, China, and 

 Burma, and two others inhabit the Hima- 

 layas and Nipal. The Chinese blue magpie 

 (/. sinensis) inhabits the hills of Eastern 

 China, sometimes extending its range into 

 the more wooded portions of the plains. 

 Styan states that it is a noisy bird, and 

 possesses a great variety of notes. It 

 wanders about the wooded hillsides in large 

 parties, composed exclusively of members 

 of its own kind. The upper parts are lavender brown, slightly shaded with bluish 



