All rights Reserved. ISTovember, 1912, 
BIRD NOTES: 
THE 
JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUBj 
The Genus Urocissa, (cabanis). 
By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., M.B.N.H.S. 
This genus, of which two species (occipitalis and 
flaviiostris) are well known to visitors to the London Zoo, is 
a beautiful one, all the species being notable for, the beautiful 
blues of their plumage, long graduated tails, and coral red 
or yellow bills. Their range is conlined to the hilly regions 
of India and China. 
The principal characteristics of Urocissa (Syn. Caloc- 
itta, Bon. — Psilorhinus, Riipp.) are: The bill is stout and 
straight, with the culmen slightly curved, and hooked, 
slightly toothed at the tip, it is longer (1^ to 1^ 
inches) and more slender than in the true Jays; 
rictal bristles few and weak; nostrils open, but overhung 
by a few lengthened bristles; wings rounded; tail very long 
and graduated, with the two central feathers much the longer; 
the claws strong and the lateral toes unequal. 
The following species comprise the genus: occipitalis, 
Bljth. —magnirostris, Bly th.—erythrorhyncha, Gm. — flavi- 
rostris, Blyth. — ccerulea, Gould. 
All the species are large and beautiful birds, ranging 
from 20 to 24 inches, from tip of beak to tip of tail. The 
largest of them being the fied- billed (occipitalis), a coloured 
plate of which, from Mr. Goodchild's brush, forms our frontis- 
piece; it is also one of the best known. Mr. Goodchild made 
his studies of the bird from life, from a specimen presented 
to the London Zoo by our member, Mr. E. J. Brook. Some 
few years ago several of these Blue -Pies occupied one of 
the roomy flights on the banks of the canal; there, their 
beautiful plumage, graceful wing evolutions, and long tails, 
were a sight long to be remembered, especially when viewed 
