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Genus CYANOPICA. 



Pica apud Wagler, Syst. Av. (1827). 



Cyanopica, Bonaparte, P. Z. S. 1850, p. 86. 



Cyanopolius apud Bonaparte, ut supra. 



Bolometis apud Cabanis, Mus. Hein. i. p. 222 (1850-51). 



Although in general form and habits the Azure-winged Magpies closely resemble the true 

 Magpies, yet in their rich coloration they approach the Jays, and may justly be placed between 

 Garrulus and Pica. Only two species belong to this genus, one of which inhabits tbe western 

 portion of the Western Palaearctic Region, and the other the eastern portion of the Eastern 

 Palsearctic Region. 



In habits they resemble the Magpie more closely than the Jay, though some authors affirm 

 that this is not the case. In their flight they resemble the Magpie ; but, unlike that bird, I 

 generally found them to be very silent. Like the Magpie they feed on insects and on any refuse 

 that may be cast out ; but I am not aware if they suck eggs like that species. They construct 

 cup-shaped nests of dry sticks interwoven with plants and grass, and lined with fine grass, which 

 they place on a tree, and deposit greenish white or buff-coloured eggs marked with purplish grey 

 and dark brown. 



Oyanopica cooki, the type of the genus, has the bill as in Pica, but rather more slender ; 

 nostrils basal, covered by stiff feathers directed forwards; wings short, broad, the first quill 

 shorter than the inner secondaries, the second shorter than the ninth, the fourth, fifth, and sixth 

 nearly equal, the fifth longest ; tail long, much graduated ; tarsus long, rather slender, covered 

 in front with five large and three inferior scutellse ; toes moderate, claws rather short, stout, 

 curved, acute. 



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