COLUMBIA JAY. 485 



partly concealed by short bristly feathers. Proportions of parts ordinary. 

 Feet of ordinary length, rather strong ; tarsus compressed, about the 

 length of the middle toe, anteriorly scutellate, covered behind with two 

 longitudinal plates, meeting at an acute angle ; toes free, scutellate above ; 

 claws of ordinary size, arched, convex above, canaliculate beneath. 



Plumage compact, glossy. Feathers of the head elongated into a 

 crest, the posterior ones recurvate. Wings longish, the third and fourth 

 quiUs longest, the first short. Tail very long, graduated, of twelve fea- 

 thers, of which the two central are slightly curved, and greatly exceed 

 ^tlie rest in length. 



Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. The general colour of 

 the plumage is bright blue, with purple reflections. The fore neck and 

 anterior part of the breast black ; the rest of the under parts white. 

 The inner webs of the quills dusky, the four oviter feathers of the tail 

 white towards the tip. 



Length 31 inches, extent of wings 26; bill along the ridge 1^, tarsus 

 2, middle toe 2. 



