The LONG-TAILED KITTA (_Urocissa Sinensis_) is about twenty-six inches
in length, seventeen to eighteen inches of this measurement belonging to
the tail; the wing measures eight inches. The plumage is very splendid,
the entire head, throat, and breast being deep black, shading into blue,
with the exception of a white streak which passes over the head and nape;
the mantle and upper tail-covers are of a light cobalt blue, the latter
tipped with a broad patch of black; the wings are of the same blue tint,
the inner web of the quills being black, and all the feathers tipped with
white; the tail is principally blue, but its centre feathers are white,
and the rest tipped with white and black; the under side of the bird is
whitish, shaded with a reddish grey.
The Long-tailed Kitta is met with in the western parts of the Himalaya,
and is replaced by a very similar species in the eastern provinces.
Swinhoe tells us that it also inhabits the forests around Hong Kong in
great numbers. In India it is found living at an altitude of 6,000 feet
above the level of the sea, occasionally perching in the brushwood, but
spending the greater portion of its life upon the ground, from which
it obtains its principal food. In its habits it is so observant and
intelligent as to be extremely useful to its feathered brethren, by
warning them of the approach of an enemy; indeed, it is said that it will
sometimes follow the leopard for miles, and thus prevent it from quietly
stealing upon its prey. During its flight, which resembles that of the
Magpie, the tail is kept in an horizontal position, but when perched it
is held erect, and constantly waved as the bird utters its sharp and
chattering cry. The Long-tailed Kitta builds amongst the branches of
trees, at various heights from the ground, and forms its nest of twigs
woven loosely together and lined with different kinds of vegetable fibre.
The brood consists of from three to five eggs of a pale greenish grey,
thickly strewn with brown spots, which form a kind of wreath at the broad
end. Many of these birds have been brought alive to England, and in India
they are occasionally kept tame in a cage.
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The FEATHER-BEAKS (_Cissa_) are recognisable by their powerful bills,
which are of medium size, slightly arched, and compressed at the sides;
the wings are rounded, and the tail but slightly graduated.