157 
475. Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.). [286.] Black-billed Magpie. 
Occurs in the western part of the Mississippi Valley as a rather rare 
visitant from the north or northwest. In western Manitoba Mr. Thomp- 
son records it as a rare and irregular resident. In western Kansas it 
is an occasional fall and winter visitant (Goss). Dr. Agersborg states 
that it used to be very common in winter about Vermillion, Dak., but 
has recently disappeared. In western Dakota it is still tolerably com- 
mon. Robert Kennicott, writing in 1854, stated that the Magpie was 
“not uncommon in winter” in Cook County, Ill. (Trans. Ill. State Agl. 
Soe. for 1853-1854, 1855, p. 585.) 
477. Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.). [289.] Blue Jay. 
This species is resident throughout all of the Mississippi Valley and 
common in all parts except the western plains. In western Manitoba 
it is given as a summer resident (Seton). It is usually said to be non- 
migratory, because in most localities some individuals are present the 
whole year round. The bulk, however, performs quite a regular mi- 
gration south in the fall and north late in the spring. In addition to 
this imperfect migration it roves somewhat in search of food. The bulk 
of its migrations in the spring of 1884 took place during the first two 
weeks of May, and the first one reached Oak Point, Manitoba, May 
29. The Blue Jay is local in its distribution, requiring an abundance of 
acorns or other mast as a prime requisite for a breeding or wintering 
place. The following note from Heron Lake, Minn., shows how they 
are seen during migration at places where they do not breed: ‘May 
14, one seen; in a few days they will be quite plenty and then they 
will disappear until fall”. The Nueces Cajion in southwestern Texas is 
said to be the winter home of countless myriads. In that case they 
must migrate to the northeast, for all observers agree that in north- 
western Texas they are rather a rare bird. Mr. Lloyd says that its 
western limit in Texas “seems to be near the mouth of the main Concho, 
where it is tolerably common.” (The Auk, Vol. IV, 1887, p. 290.) 
In the spring of 1885 flocks in migration passed Saint Louis, Mo., 
almost every day from April 21 to April 30; and again, May 12, a party 
of fifteen or twenty went north. The first returned to Shell River, 
Manitoba, May 15, and Oak Point, Manitoba, May 24. In the fall of 
1885 the bulk of the flocks were reported from Saint Louis September 
26. October 5 one troop was seen going south at 9 a. m. 
480. Aphelocoma woodhousei (Baird). [292.] Woodhouse’s Jay. 
A bird of the west, occurring in our district in southwestern Texas. 
Mr. William Lloyd states that it is tolerably common in Concho and 
Tom Green Counties, Tex., where it is “resident wherever there is 
skin-oak, at the heads of nearly all the creeks.” (The Auk, Vol. IV, 
1887, p. 290.) Two nests were found. 
483. Xanthoura luxuosa (Less.), [296.] Green Jay. 
The Green Jay is an inhabitant of eastern Mexico, coming north to 
the Lower Rio Grande Valley, in Texas, where it ig a common resident, 
