CO129-538-1 Hong Kong University 31-12-1931 - 6-8-1932 — Page 105

10 Hong Kon•~

Vol. III, No. 2.

88

Plate 14.

Urocissa e, erythrorhyncha (Chinese Blue Magpie), on Sterculia lanceolata tree.

THE

HONG KONG NATURALIST

Vol. III No. 2.

MAY 1932.

THE BIRDS OF HONG KONG.

PART X.

E. A. AYLMER, Family CORVIDAE.

THE MAGPIES.—Two species are to be found, both are resident and nest in the colony.

THE CHINESE MAGPIE.-(Pica pica sericea).-This is the common bird of our plains and foot hills, in appearance so well known as to require no description. The Chinese Magpie closely resembles the European bird, though the former has steel blue colouring on the wings, which in certain lights appear tinged with purple and there is less white in the plumage. Length 18 inches. Male and female are alike in colour, the female being

less irridescent.

NESTING. These birds are almost our earliest breeders and may com- mence building as early as January. The first nest with eggs this year was recorded on the 15th of February. By mid-March most of the nests have young birds. The nest is a conspicuous object, to be found in almost any tree or shrub, though most birds favour a high tree in or nearby a village, often the nest is easy of access. It consists of thorny sticks arranged on a ground work of earth and mud, lined with roots, dried grasses and feathers. The nest is domed, the entrance being at the side, similar to the nest of the European species.-Magpies' nests without domes have been recorded, but this is a rare occurrence.- -There are from three to six eggs in a clutch, they may vary considerably in colour and size, they are a pale greenish- blue, spotted brown to dark brown. The largest egg measured was 1.40 inches x 1.00 inch, the smallest 1.25 inches x 0.90 inch.

HABITS. Free from persecution the bird is tame and confiding to a far greater degree than in other countries. The bird breeds commonly in Hong Kong and New Territories. It is considered by the Chinese to be an omen of good luck and a bird of joy. Hence the fact that every village invariably has its pair or more of birds nesting in the surrounding trees. In districts where tigers or leopards may be expected, magpies are said to betray the presence of the animals near a village by their incessant chattering, as they do a fox in covert in England.

On one occasion only was a nest found to have been molested, this was at the village of Wong Ma Kok in March of last year-1931. (Stanley Peninsula). On enquiry as to what the nest contained, the tree was climbed and one youngster brought down; three other eggs laid earlier the villagers told us had been taken and eaten.

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