320 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 
THE CROW FAMILY 
Corvidae 
Take them all in all, there is no Family in the whole Order 
of Perching Birds whose members have more striking in- 
dividual traits, or more commanding personality than the 
Family which contains the ravens, crows, jays and magpies. 
All these birds are bold and conspicuous, and fond of enter- 
ing into the affairs of man. The crow feels it to be his duty 
to assist in planting operations. The blue-jay robs you, and 
scolds while he does it. The magpie will hold a fifteen- 
minute conversation with you, and tell you of all his troubles. 
Go where you will in the United States, some of the twenty 
species of birds of this Family will cheerfully bear you com- 
pany. 
Tue American Macpiz,' of the somewhat “wild West,” 
is a beautiful and showy bird, and in winter it bravely strives 
to adorn the bare and bleak valleys, foot-hills, divides and 
mountain sides of the Rocky Mountain region. In the whole 
of the West, I know of no bird more beautiful in flight than 
this. Its plumage is half glossy-purple black, and half snow 
white; and this, with its long tail streaming after it in its 
flight, makes it a very striking object. In winter the absence 
of other birds renders the Magpie trebly conspicuous and 
welcome. Its flight is slow, dignified, and as straight as an 
arrow. 
The Magpie is fatally fond of fresh meat, and many a 
fine bird meets its death by devouring poisoned meat laid 
1 Pi’ca pi’ca hud-son'i-ca. Length, about 18 inches. 
