388 LAND BIRDS 



Geographical Distribution: California west of the Sierra Nevada, from 

 Sacramento south to Los Angeles. 



Breeding Range : In the Sonoran zone west of the Sierra Nevada moun- 

 tains, north to Red Bluff, south to Santa Paula. 



Breeding Season : April, May, and June. 



Nest : Similar to that of the black-hilled magpie ; placed in oaks, syca- 

 mores, and willows, from 25 to 50 feet from the ground. 



Eggs: 7 ; greenish gray, more or less marked with brown over the whole 

 surface. Size 1.25 X 0.86. 



The Yellow-billed Magpie is identical with the pre- 

 ceding species except in the color of the bill, which is 

 yellow, varying from bright straw-color in birds found in 

 central California to dull grayish buff in those inhabit- 

 ing the northeastern portion. He is nearly two inches 

 shorter than the black-billed, and smaller in proportion. 

 His call-note also is less harsh and loud, being somewhat 

 like " quee-quee-quee " instead of " chack-chack " or 

 " quat-quat " of the larger species. The breeding habits 

 are identical ; a full description will be found under the 

 preceding species. Much persecution is rapidly decimat- 

 ing this variety, and where it was abundant twenty years 

 ago it is now scarce. Although much more restricted 

 in its range than that of the black-billed, it is found 

 in more thickly populated portions of the State about 

 Sacramento valley and is a better known bird.' It is 

 this species that first arrests the attention of the tourist 

 as the Eastern train pulls slowly into Sacramento. 



Eminently social, like all their family, these birds have 

 a certain esprit de corps which leads them to forage in 

 bands, making common cause against an enemy or plot- 

 ting wickedness together, talking incessantly as only 

 they can do. 



