108 CORVINJF.. PICA. 



dorsal line slightly arched, toward the end declinate, the 

 ridge narrow, the edges sharp, with a slight notch or sinus 

 close to the tip, which is declinate, rather sharp, and pro- 

 jects a little. Mouth of moderate width ; upper mandible 

 concave within, and grooved ; tongue oblong, narrow, emar- 

 ginate and papillate at the base, flat above, horny, thin- 

 edged, the point slit ; oesophagus of moderate width ; stomach 

 elliptical, compressed, with the muscular coat thick, the cu- 

 ticular lining dense, with prominent rugae ; intestine of mo- 

 derate length and width ; cceca small, cylindrical. Eyes of 

 moderate size. Apertures of ears roundish and moderate. 

 Nostrils roundish, rather large, covered by the reversed 

 feathers. Head large, oblong, rather convex above ; neck 

 rather short ; body ovate, compact ; legs of moderate length, 

 strong, tarsi anteriorly covered with eight scutella, poste- 

 riorly with two longitudinal plates, and sharp-edged ; toes 

 moderate, the outer adherent as far as the second joint ; 

 first comparatively large, lateral toes nearly equal, all with 

 a few large scutella ; claws strong, arched, compressed, acute, 

 with an obscure groove on each side. Plumage full, soft, 

 blended, and glossed ; feathers on the head short ; those at 

 the base of the upper mandible linear, stiff, directed for- 

 wards, and. covering a large portion of the bill ; wings of 

 moderate length, much rounded ; the first quill very short, 

 extremely narrow, falciform ; the fourth and fifth longest ; 

 tail very long, graduated, of twelve broad, rounded feathers. 

 The Magpies closely resemble the Crows in the form of 

 the bill, head, and feet ; but differ in having the tail very 

 elongated, and the wings shorter and more rounded. They 

 reside in copses and woods, but search for food chiefly in 

 open places in their vicinity, fly steadily, but with little 

 speed, move on the ground by walking and leaping, and in- 

 stead of the croak or caw of the crows, have generally a 

 chattering kind of cry. They are omnivorous, vigilant, and 

 cunning ; nestle in high places, forming a bulky nest, and 

 laying five or six spotted eggs. They occur on both conti- 

 nents, but are less numerous in America. 



53. PICA MELANOLEUCA. CHATTERING MAGPIE. 

 Plumage of the head, neck, back, fore part of breast, and 



