• MAGPIES, JAYS 



(475) Pica pica hudsonia 



{Sabine) {Lat., a pie; of Hudson's Bay). 



MAGPIE. A remarkably hand- 

 some species marked as shown. Whole 

 head, neck and back an intense, 

 velvety black; wings and tail with 

 metallic reflections of bronze, purple, 

 blue and green; scapulars and under 

 parts pure white. L., 18.00 more or 

 less; \V., S.oo; T., nearly a foot 

 long; Tar., 1.65; B., 1.25. Nest — 

 A large globular mass of sticks and 

 twigs, often as large as a bushel 

 basket; an entrance on one side 

 leading to the mud-lined nest within; 

 placed in trees or bushes at any height; 

 four to seven grayish eggs, profusely 

 spotted with yellowish-brown. 



Range — From Sask., the Yukon, 

 and Aleutian Islands south to Te.x. 

 and Ariz. Casual east to 111. and 

 Mich. 



Their nests are on the ground in open fields or prairies, with 

 little or no concealment. 



Faiuly CORVID.E. Crows, Jays, etc. 



MAGPIES are one of the commonest and most character- 

 istic birds of the west; they are found east casually to North 

 ■ Dakota, Nebraska, and western Texas. Their habits are 

 in every way tyjiical of those of this noted family. While 

 every one must admire their magnificent plumage, it is at 

 times difficult to pardon them for some of the crimes they 

 commit. They are natural born thieves, stealing anything 

 that takes their fancy, whether edible or not, from friend or 

 foe. Their food is very varied and adapted to season and 

 circumstances. Anything in the line of berries, nuts, flesh, 

 either of dead animals and birds or young birds stolen from 

 their nests, and eggs, is very acceptable to them. They 

 often go about in sinall flocks, and are noisy at all times. 

 Their usual note is a harsh, disagreeable "chack, " but they 



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