Page:The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (Birds Vol 1).djvu/71

Rh Habits. The Magpie is found in well-wooded parts of the country and near cultivation. Two or more pairs may often be seen in company, and in parts of Kashmir where they are very common several birds may be found together. They do not come very low down the hills in winter, and are seldom found below 5,000 feet. They are very conspicuous birds on the wing, their black and white plumage, long waving tail and undulating flight quickly attracting the eye. They eat insects, fruit and grain, and their voice is typically harsh and Corvine in character.


 * Pica serica Gould, P. Z. S., 1845, p. 2 (Amoy, China).

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. "Closely allied to the Common Magpie but differs in the wings being blue instead of green, in the rather less extent of the white" (Gould). Gould also says that this form has a larger bill and a much longer tarsus.

Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in bactriana.

Distribution. Upper Burmese Hills, through China to South Japan, north to Korea and south to Hainan and Formosa.

Nidification. This Magpie breeds freely in the Chin and Kachin Hills and in Shan States in February, March and early April, and eggs were also taken by Styan in Foochow in the latter month. In N.E. Chihli, La Touche found it breeding in May and June. Nest and eggs are similar to those of P. p. bactriana, forty of the eggs averaging 35⋅5 x 24⋅3 mm.

In the Chin Hills this bird is often victimized by the Koel, and Col. Harington found many Koels' eggs in Magpies' nests.

Habits. Similar to those of other members of the genus. According to La Touche it is migratory in China, assembling in large flocks prior to commencing its journey southwards. In Burma it is resident.


 * Pica bottanensis Delessert, Rev. Zool., 1840, p. 100 (Butan); Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 25.

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. Similar to the Common Magpie, but with the rump entirely black. It is much larger, with a shorter tail.

Colours of soft parts as in P. p. bactriana.

Measurements. Length about 525 mm.; wing from 225 to