106 COLUMBIA MAGPIE, OR JAY. 



length, rather strong; tarsus compressed, about the length of the middle toe, 

 anteriorly scutellate, covered behind with two longitudinal plates, meeting 

 at an acute angle; toes free, scutellate above; claws of ordinary size, arched, 

 convex above, canaliculate beneath. 



Plumage compact, glossy. Feathers of the head elongated into a crest, 

 the posterior ones recurvate. Wings longish, the third and fourth quills 

 longest, the first short. Tail very long, graduated, of twelve feathers, of 

 which the two central are slightly curved, and greatly exceed the rest in 

 length. 



Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. The general colour of the 

 plumage is bright blue, with purple reflections. The fore neck and anterior 

 part of the breast black; the rest of the under parts white. The inner webs 

 of the quills dusky, the four outer feathers of the tail white towards the tip. 



Length 31 inches, extent of wings 26; bill along the ridge 1^, tarsus 2, 

 middle toe 2. 



Genus III.— GARRULUS, Briss. JAY. 



Bill of moderate length, strong, straight, compressed, rather pointed; 

 upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge scarcely 

 distinct, the sides sloping, the edges nearly straight, sharp, and overlapping, 

 the notches slight, the tip slightly depressed; lower mandible with the angle 

 of moderate length, rather wide, the dorsal line ascending, slightly convex, 

 the sides sloping outwards, the edges direct, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, 

 elliptical, covered by reversed stiflish feathers. Head rather large; neck 

 short; body stout. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tarsus of ordinary 

 length, compressed, with eight scutella; toes moderate, the first large, the 

 outer considerably longer than the inner; claws well-arched, rather long, 

 compressed, acute. Plumage blended; small bristles at the base of the 

 upper mandible; feathers of the head generally elongated; wings rather 

 short, first quill very short, fourth and fifth longest; tail rather long, much 

 rounded. Roof of upper mandible concave, with three ridges; digestive 

 organs as in Corvus. 



