3 i6 



PERCHING BIRDS. 



generally resorting 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 greyer tone of coloration, 

 the same form also occurring in Japan. Such an instance of discontinuous 



Blue Magpies. 



AZURE-WINGED MAGPIE (\ nat. size). 



distribution is scarcely paralleled among the Passerines. In disposition the 

 azure-winged pie is described as being an active and intelligent bird, building a 

 nest very like that of the common jay. 



The magpies included in the genus Urocissa are distin- 

 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 

 the pies in having the bill either red or yellow, but never black ; and they are 

 all characterised 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 Himalaya and Nipal. The Chinese blue 

 magpie (IT. 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 purple, 



