The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma/Birds/Order Passeres/Family Corvidæ/Genus Pica
Genus PICA Brisson, 1760.
There is but one species of Pica in India containing three sub-species which grade into one another in the areas where they meet, but which are well differentiated over large tracts of country in which their characteristics are quite constant.
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Pica differs from Corvus in having a very long graduated tail and in having a first primary of very peculiar shape. The Magpies are, however, more addicted to well-wooded districts; they are equally wary and they are almost omnivorous.
Pica pica.
Key to Subspecies.
A. A white rump, sometimes reduced to a dull grey band.
- a. Gloss on wings green .......... P. p. bactriana, p. 38.
- b. Gloss on wings blue ............ P. p. serica, p. 39.
B. Rump wholly black ................... P. p. bottanensis, p. 39.
(16) Pica pica bactriana.
The Kashmir Magpie.
- Pica bactriana Bonap., Conspect., i, p. 383 (1850) (Kandahar).
- Pica rustica. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 24.
Vernacular names. Akha (Cabul); Aq aq (Mesop.).
Description. The entire head and neck, the upper plumage, breast, thighs, vent and under tail-coverts black, the rump with a broad white band across it; scapulars, abdomen, and the greater portion of the primaries white; wings brilliantly glossed with blue, and the tail with green, lilac and purple.
Differs from the British Magpie in having a broader white rump band. It is said also to be larger; Hartert gives the European bird a wing of 155 to 193 mm. and bactriana a wing of 210 mm. and over. I find, however, that whilst many English birds have a wing of over 210 mm., many Indian specimens have it under 190 mm.
Colours of soft parts. Iris dark brown; bill and legs black.
Measurements. Wing 182 to 227 mm., generally well over 200 mm.; tail anything from 200 to 270 mm., usually about 240 mm.; culmen 30 to 32 mm.; tarsus from 40 to 45 mm.
Distribution. Throughout Northern Asia to Kamschatka and South to South Persia, Afghanistan and Kashmir. It is found also in Kumaun, the Simla Hills and Garhwal, but not apparently in Nepal.
Nidification. The Kashmir Magpie seems to be resident and to breed wherever found. It is very common in Kashmir, breeding in great numbers between 6,000 and 10,000 feet, making a nest like that of others of its tribe — a cup of twigs, bents and roots with a dome of twigs, often with moss, thorns, and lined with roots or wool. It is usually placed well up in a fairly high tree but sometimes comparatively low down in thorny bushes. The eggs number four to seven and are indistinguishable from those of the Common Magpie. The ground-colour is a pale sea-blue green and the markings consist of small blotches, freckles and spots of dull reddish brown, scattered profusely all over the egg but more numerous at the larger end. They average 35⋅7 x 24⋅4 mm.
The breeding season is from early April to late May, according to elevation.
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.
(17) Pica pica serica.
The Chinese Magpie.
- 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.
(18) Pica pica bottanensis.
The Black-rumped Magpie.
- 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 270 mm., generally over 250 mm.; tail from 250 to 300 mm.; tarsus 56 mm.; culmen about 80 to 85 mm.
Distribution. Sikkim, Bhutan and East Tibet to Kansu.
Nidification. This fine Magpie breeds both in Sikkim and South and East Tibet at heights over 10,000 feet and up to nearly 15,000 feet. The nest is similar to that of the Common Magpie but is often placed comparatively low down in thorn-bushes. The eggs number from four to six in a full clutch, and are rather dark as a series but otherwise like those of other species of Pica. They are very big and forty-eight eggs average 38·7 x 26·7 mm.
The birds breed from early April, when there is still snow about, through May and rarely, possibly a second time, in June.
Habits. Similar to those of other birds of the genus.