THE 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 cer- 

 tainly the most beautiful member of the Crow family 

 found in any country. I have never seen this bird ex- 

 cept in captivity, but even so, its appearance is so strik- 

 ing 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 Roller : 

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

 be mentioned that the real Jays are well represented in. 



