AMERICAN MAGPIE. 



475. Pica pica hudsonia. 20 inches. 



This handsome member of the crow family is sure to 

 attract the attention of all who may see him. He is 

 very pert in all his actions both in trees and on the 

 ground and is always ready for mischief. In a high 

 wind their long tail often makes traveling a laborious 

 operation for them, and at such times they usually re- 

 main quite quiet. They are very impudent and always 

 on the lookout for something to steal; they are also 

 very noisy and forever scolding and chattering among 

 themselves. 



Notes. A loud, harsh cack, cack; and an endless 

 variety of whistles and imitations. 



Nest. A large, globular heap of sticks placed in 

 bushes or trees from four to fifty feet from the ground. 

 The entrance to the nest is on one side and the in- 

 terior is made of grass and mud. The four to six eggs 

 are white thickly specked with yellowish brown 

 (1.25 x. 90). 



Range. Western North America, east to the Plains 

 and north to Alaska; resident. 



