ULTRAMARINE JAY. 457 
Bill shorter than the head, strong, straight, compressed toward the 
end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line decimate and convex toward 
the end, the sides sioping and becoming convex toward the tip, which 
is declinate, thin-edged and obtuse, the edges sharp and overlapping, 
with a slight notch; lower mandible straight, the angle rather short 
and broad, the dorsal outline ascending and slightly convex, the sides 
convex, the edges sharp and directed outwards, the tip narrow. Nos- 
trils basal, roundish, covered by the reversed bristly feathers. 
Head large, ovate ; eyes of moderate size ; neck rather short ; body 
compact. Legs of moderate length, strong; tarsus much compressed, 
with seven large anterior scutella, and two long plates behind, meet- 
ing so as to form a sharp edge. Toes stout, with large scutella, the 
outer adherent as far as its second joint to the middle toe ;. first very 
strong ; inner toe shorter than outer, third much longer. Claws strong, 
arched, compressed, acute. 
Plumage full, soft, blended. Stiff feathers with disunited barbs 
over the nostrils, the longest scarcely extending to a third of the length 
of the bill ; at the base of the upper mandible several longish slender 
bristles. Wings of moderate length, convex, and much rounded; the 
first quill very short, an inch and two-twelfths shorter than the second, 
which is eight-twelfths shorter than the third, the fourth three-twelfths 
longer than the third, and a twelfth and a half shorter than the fifth, 
which is the longest, but scarcely exceeds the sixth. Tail long, much 
rounded, of twelve rather narrow, rounded and acuminate feathers, of 
which the lateral is an inch and a quarter shorter than the longest. 
Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. Upper part of the head, 
sides and hind part of the neck, wings, upper tail-coverts, and tail, light 
blue ; back light greyish-brown, the feathers of the rump whitish and 
tinged with blue at the end; the inner webs of the quills dusky ; the 
tail transversely undulated, and having the appearance of being faintly 
barred with a darker tint. A white band over the eye formed by the 
tips of the feathers there; the cheeks dusky; the fore neck greyish- 
white faintly streaked with dusky; and bounded below by a narrow 
semilunar band of light blue continuous with that of the neck, The 
lower parts are pale purplish-grey, passing into white on the abdomen ; 
lower tail-coverts tinged with blue. 
Length to end of tail 12 inches ; bill along the ridge 1/4, along the 
