157 



475. Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.). [285.] Black- billed Magpie. 



Occurs in the western part of the Mississippi Yalley 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, 111. (Trans. 111. State Agl. 

 Soc. 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 Canon 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 Eiver, 

 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 Eio Grande Valley, in Texas, where it is a common resident. 



