320 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 



THE CROW FAMILY 



Corvidae 



Take them all in all, there is no Family in the whole Order 

 of Perching Birds whose members have more striking in- 

 dividual traits, or more commanding personality than the 

 Family which contains the ravens, crows, jays and magpies. 

 All these birds are bold and conspicuous, and fond of enter- 

 ing into the affairs of man. The crow feels it to be his duty 

 to assist in planting operations. The blue-jay robs you, and 

 scolds while he does it. The magpie will hold a fifteen- 

 minute conversation with you, and tell you of all his troubles. 

 Go where you will in the United States, some of the twenty 

 species of birds of this Family will cheerfully bear you com- 

 pany. 



The American Magpie, 1 of the somewhat "wild West," 

 is a beautiful and showy bird, and in winter it bravely strives 

 to adorn the bare and bleak valleys, foot-hills, divides and 

 mountain sides of the Rocky Mountain region. In the whole 

 of the West, I know of no bird more beautiful in flight than 

 this. Its plumage is half glossy-purple black, and half snow 

 white; and this, with its long tail streaming after it in its 

 flight, makes it a very striking object. In winter the absence 

 of other birds renders the Magpie trebly conspicuous and 

 welcome. Its flight is slow, dignified, and as straight as an 

 arrow. 



The Magpie is fatally fond of fresh meat, and many a 

 fine bird meets its death by devouring poisoned meat laid 



1 Pi'ca pi'ca hud-son' 'i-ca. Length, about 18 inches. 



