Holden—Aiken.] 204 : [June 5, 
They were very shy at times. They flew low, and again they 
mounted high in the air. I had an excellent opportunity to observe 
one fine male as he sat on a tree above me. He kept up a constant 
rattle while there, which sounded to me like the noise produced by 
drawing a stick over a slat fence. He was very restless, and did not 
remain in the same position more than an instant. I do not think 
they breed in this portion of the Black Hills, though they may in 
the more thickly wooded portions. 
“ Rather common in the foot-hills during winter, but goes into the 
mountains on the approach of spring, and at this date, May Ist, has 
disappeared. Known here as the Pinon Jay. Usually seen hanging 
from a branch extracting seeds from the pine or pifion cones. I have 
only seen it singly.” —C. E. A. 
79. Gymnokitta cyanocephala. Maximilian’s Jay. 
“ First seen February 20th. Have noticed them only in flocks in the 
cedar hills. They are very shy of approach, and on the report of a_ 
gun rise in a compact flock and fly to a considerable distance.” — 
C. E. A. . 
80. Pica hudsonica. Magpie. 
These were common, though shy. They breed early in June, or 
latter part of May. The nest is placed on a low bush, the young 
remain in company with their parents, and thus form a small flock. 
They devour the eggs of small birds, and seem to be very apt in 
finding them. A beautiful male is in my collection, shot in Decem- 
ber, and four young, shot June 10th, showing that they do not mi- 
grate on account of temperature. 
“Common everywhere. Feeds on seeds, insects and carrion. A 
cunning bird, generally disliked on account of its mischievous pro- 
pensities, but admired for its beautiful plumage. It is said that they 
often pick and worry a weak sorebacked animal to death, pick out 
the eyes of lambs, rob the nests of other birds, ete. It is capable of 
the most harsh and defiant tones, as well as those that are soft and 
even musical. Many notes are almost human, and it seems at times 
to be conversing confidentially with its mate. It is easily domesti- 
cated, and may be taught to repeat words and sentences. ‘The irides 
in specimens taken last fall were blue; in all birds killed this spring 
they were brown; in the young they are bluish gray. 
“The nest, which is quite a curious structure, is usually placed in 
a small scrubby tree about ten feet from the ground. They com- 
mence to build about the last of March, and the eggs are laid two 
