108 
CORVINE. PICA. 
dorsal line slightly arched, toward the end declinate, the 
ridge narrow, the edges sharp, with a slight notch or sinus 
close to the tip, which is declinate, rather sharp, and pro- 
jects a little. Mouth of moderate width ; upper mandible 
concave within, and grooved ; tongue oblong, narrow, emar- 
ginate and papillate at the base, hat above, horny, thin- 
edged, the point slit ; oesophagus of moderate width ; stomach 
elliptical, compressed, with the muscular coat thick, the cu- 
ticular lining dense, with prominent rugae ; intestine of mo- 
derate length and width ; coeca small, cylindrical. Eyes of 
moderate size. Apertures of ears roundish and moderate. 
Nostrils roundish, rather large, covered by the reversed 
feathers. Head large, oblong, rather convex above ; neck 
rather short ; body ovate, compact ; legs of moderate length, 
strong, tarsi anteriorly covered with eight scutella, poste- 
riorly with two longitudinal plates, and sharp-edged ; toes 
moderate, the outer adherent as far as the second joint ; ii 
first comparatively large, lateral toes nearly equal, all with 
a few large scutella ; claws strong, arched, compressed, acute, j 
with an obscure groove on each side. Plumage full, soft, j 
blended, and glossed ; feathers on the head short ; those at ; j 
the base of the upper mandible linear, stiff, directed for- | 
wards, and covering a large portion of the bill ; wings of | 
moderate length, much rounded ; the first quill very short, I 
extremely narrow, falciform ; the fourth and fifth longest ; 
tail very long, graduated, of twelve broad, rounded feathers. 
The Magpies closely resemble the Crows in the form of . 
the bill, head, and feet ; but differ in having the tail very 
elongated, and the wings shorter and more rounded. They 
reside in copses and woods, but search for food chiefly in 
open places in their vicinity, fly steadily, but with little 
speed, move on the ground by walking and leaping, and in- 
stead of the croak or caw of the crows, have generally a 
chattering kind of cry. They are omnivorous, vigilant, and 
cunning ; nestle in high places, forming a bulky nest, and 
laying five or six spotted eggs. They occur on both conti- 
nents, but are less numerous in America. 
53. Pica Melanoleuca. Chattering Magpie. 
Plumage of the head, neck, back, fore part of breast, and 
