106 
COLUMBIA MAGPIE, OR JAY. 
length, rather strong ; tarsus compressed, about the length of the middle toe ; 
anteriorly scutellate, covered behind with two longitudinal plates, meeting 
at an acute angle ; toes free, scutellate above ; claws of ordinary size, arched, 
convex above, canaliculate beneath. 
Plumage compact, glossy. Feathers of the head elongated into a crest, 
the posterior ones recurvate. Wings longish, the third and fourth quills 
longest, the first short. Tail very long, graduated, of twelve feathers, of 
which the two central are slightly curved, and greatly exceed the rest in 
length. 
Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. The general colour of the 
plumage is bright blue, with purple reflections. The fore neck and anterior 
part of the breast black ; the rest of the under parts white. The inner webs 
of the quills dusky, the four outer feathers of the tail white towards the tip. 
Length 31 inches, extent of wings 26 ; bill along the ridge H, tarsus 2, 
middle toe 2. 
Genus III.— GARRULUS, Briss. JAY. 
Bill of moderate length, strong, straight, compressed, rather pointed ; 
upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge scarcely 
distinct, the sides sloping, the edges nearly straight, sharp, and overlapping, 
the notches slight, the tip slightly depressed ; lower mandible with the angle 
of moderate length, rather wide, the dorsal line ascending, slightly convex,, 
the sides sloping outwards, the edges direct, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, 
elliptical, covered by reversed stiffisli feathers. Head rather large ; neck 
short ; body stout. Feet of moderate length, rather stout ; tarsus of ordi- 
nary length, compressed, with eight scutella ; toes moderate, the first large, 
the outer considerably longer than the inner ; claws well-arched, rather 
long, compressed, acute. Plumage blended ; small bristles at the base of 
the upper mandible ; feathers of the head generally elongated ; wings rather 
short, first quill very short, fourth and fifth longest ; tail rather long, much 
rounded. Roof of upper mandible concave, with three ridges ; digestive 
organs as in Corvus. 
