'^ B m m ^ n 



(4) COMMON NV\GPIE (Fig. 5) 

 Pica pica sericea. Length 19 inches. 



Bill and tarsi black. 



Plumage. Head, breast, and back a dead black color, but the wings 

 and tail showing a rich irridescent greenish and purplish black. Abdomen, 

 shoulders, and rump, white. Also inner edges of primaries white. Female 

 same color as male but not so glossy. 



Lharcteristics. Very common in trees and on the gronnd about 

 houses and gardens. They feed on offal to some extent, but are not at 

 all averse to robbing the nests of smaller birds and eating their eggs 

 and young. Very brave in the defense of their home, and are offten 

 seen driving off the larger kites, crows, and cats. Althougti: useful as 

 scavengers, it is doubtlful if they do not more harm than good. 



Distribution. Found over Burma, China, Southern Japan, Hainan, 

 Formosa, and N. W. Korea. ' 



Nest and Eggs. Nest a huge dome of sticks, often two or three 

 feet high inside of which is placed a smaller true nest. Often the nest 

 has serv^al opening near the top. Eggs are six in a clutch. ' " 



^ (4) M ^% cm 5i. w) 



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(24) 



