SENEGAL PIAPEC. 
137 
strongly tempted, at first, to believe this was a 
distinct species ; but after a most careful investiga- 
tion, we have concluded it to be the young, or im- 
mature state of the species now described. 
The size is smaller, and the general form more 
gracile, than in the European magpie: the whole 
plumage of the body, both above and below, is of a 
deep sooty black, the feathers very smooth and silky, 
and with a soft gloss upon them. On the tertials, 
and some of the secondaries, are close, transverse 
bands of darkly shaded lines, similar to what are 
seen on the tail-feathers of Lamprotornis longi- 
canda and some other birds. The primary quills 
and tail are of a light sepia brown, the former being 
almost white on their under surface, when held in 
some directions of light. The tail-feathers, as indi- 
cating the type which the genus represents, are 
much narrowed towards their tips, and the shafts 
are particularly strong ; the sharpness and curvature 
of its claws shows that the bird, although possessed 
of an ambulating foot, is yet more accustomed to 
perch among trees than to walk upon the ground. 
Total length, 171 > bill,, gape, 1-^ ; wings, 6J ; 
tail beyond, 8 ; ditto, base, 11 ; tarsus, 1 /L ; middle 
toe and claw, 1 j 4 5 ; lateral ditto, 1 ; hinder ditto, 
the same. 
