Distribution. Bhutan, Sikkim and hills N. of the Brahmaputra, probably Eastern Nepal. Chin Hills.
Nidification. I have one egg of this race from Chambi, north of Sikkim, taken from the usual twig nest at an elevation of some 9,000 or 10,000 feet. The egg is erythristic and almost certainly abnormal. The ground-colour is a very pale cream and the markings are bright reddish brown with others underlying of pale neutral tint. It measures 32·0 x 22·9 mm. and was taken on the 7th May.
Habits. These probably do not differ from those of the better known Western form but it may be a bird of higher elevations, as my collectors assured me they met with it in Chambi in Tibet at about 11,000 feet. It is found at 6,000 to 8,000 feet round about Darjeeling and keeps much to the evergreen forests.
A form of this Magpie extends well into Burma, but the only skin I have seen thence differed in many respects from the normal type, and further material may prove it to be a new subspecies.
(23) Urocissa flavirostris cucullata.
The Western Yellow-billed Magpie.
- Urocissa cucullata Gould, B. of A., v, pl. 51 (1861) (Kulu Valley).
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Similar to the last but altogether a paler bird, and more especially so in the lower parts, which are almost pure white with scarce a tinge of lilac.
Distribution. N.W. Himalayas and W. Nepal.
Nidification. This Magpie breeds wherever found above 5,000 feet. It is common at Simla and again in the galis in the Murree Hills, where Rattray, Buchanan and others have taken many nests. The breeding season appears to be May but Major Lindsay Smith took one nest as late as the 15th July. It lays three or four eggs and both these and the nests are much like those of the Red-billed Magpie. As a whole, however, the eggs are duller and not so boldly marked. They measure 33·8 x 23·1 mm. (60 eggs) and do not differ in shape or texture from those of occipitalis.
Habits. This Magpie, like the red-billed bird, haunts principally evergreen forests and heavy jungle. It is equally omnivorous and equally an enemy to small mammals, unfledged young of other birds, and to insects of all kinds. It eats fruit greedily in captivity and probably also in a wild state. It is a shy and rather retiring bird and is never found in the vicinity of villages and cultivation. The call is very harsh and penetrating, and during the breeding season is freely indulged in.
