I20 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



AMERICAN MAGPIE 



A. O. U. No. 475. (Pica pica hadsonica.) 



RANGE. 



Northern and western North America, from the Plains to the Cas- 

 cade Mountains and north to Alaska. South in the Rocky Mountains 

 to New Mexico and Arizona. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length, about 16 inches varying in different specimens in accordance 

 with the difference in the length of tail. Extent, about 24 inches; tail, 

 nearly 12 inches. Bill and feet black. Eye, veiy dark brown. Entire 

 head and neck intense velvety black. Back, wings, and tail, black with 

 metallic reflections of green and purple. A large patch on the wing 

 coverts and the under parts from the breast are white, as are also the 

 inner webs of the primary quills. 



NEST AND EGGS. 



During April and early May, American Magpies may be found breed- 

 ing throughout their range except in the more southern parts. 



Among the mountains and hills of Colorado they nest very abund- 

 antly. Several nests may sometimes be found in the same tree, that is 

 in some of the large pines. Nests may be found at varying heights 

 from the ground, some not more than six or eight feet while others 

 may be sixty feet. The nest is a huge pile of sticks and refuse and is 

 arched over to form a roof, the entrance being on the side. They lay 

 from five to eight or nine eggs, the ground color of which is grayish, 

 yellowish or greenish white, thickly spotted and dotted with varying 

 shades of brown. 



HABITS 



This near relative of the Jay is in many respects among the most in- 

 teresting of all our birds. His striking plumage would immediately at- 

 tract notice even if he were backwards about bringing himself to our 

 attention. As a matter of fact, though, even if his plumage was of the 

 plainest order and his actions were to remain unchanged, he would not 

 allow you to remain in his vicinity for a minute without impertinently 

 calling attention to the fact that you were transgressing upon his rights. 



The Jays are rightly given credit for being daring robbers, but for 



