CROWS. 11 



with a body about the size of the House-Crows. In colour 

 the Blue Pie is a rich purple blue with the head and neck 

 jet black and the bill and feet scarlet. There is a white 

 patch at the back of the head, and the wings and tail 

 are tipped with white. The belly is also white, but with 

 a strong tinge of blue. On the whole this is certainly 

 the most beautiful member of the Crow family found in 

 any country. I have never seen this bird except in 

 captivity, but even so, its appearance- is so striking that 

 I can sympathize with the great admiration expressed 

 by those friends of mine who have seen it flying at large. 

 In the Indian hills it ranges from five thousand feet to a 

 considerably higher elevation, being common near some 

 of our stations ; but in Burma, where it is also found, it 

 inhabits the plains as well. It is constantly brought 

 down to Calcutta in the winter and does well in captivity 

 there. Specimens can be bought at the proper season 

 for about ten rupees or less ; and a few have reached 

 Europe, where they would probably do well out doors in 

 mild climates. 



The bird is known as Nilkhant at Mussoorie and Diggdall 

 at Simla. It builds at varying heights ; the nest is open, 

 but the eggs are greenish with brown spots like the English 

 Magpie's. 



The so-called Australian Magpie is really a shrike, and 

 will be described under that heading. It is commonly 

 imported. The bird usually called the Blue-Jay in 

 India, is also wrongly named, being really a Koller : 

 it will be dealt with in its turn. Meanwhile it may 

 be mentioned that the real Jays are well represented in 



