T a b . X L II.
PICA V AGA BU ND A .
T he specific denomination o f this bird is bestowed upon it on account of its peculiar habit of life. The P k a
mgabimda, or Wandenng Pie, unlike the typical Pies who remain constantly stationary in one neighbourhood,
seeking for the ir food in its vicinity, wanders from place to place, travelling over a large space o f ground, and
not evincing a partiality to any particular situation. The shorter tarsus of this bird, indeed, and its more
elongated tail, are indicative of trees being its most usual resort, where fruits and berries offer a supply of
Its natural fo o d ; whereas in the more typical Piccs, the longer tarsus and more elongated beak fit them for
digging in the ground, iu which they almost solely seek for subsistence. This species is more widely
distributed than any of its congeners, being found in considerable abundance over the whole of India.
Tlie head, neck and crest are of a smoke colour or a blackish grey 5 the back light ciuiiamoa; the centre
o f the wings g r e y ; the quills bla ck ; the tail grey, each feather being tipped largely with b la ck ; the
under surface is pale tawny 5 the beak and tarsi black.
Length 1 6 iin c h e s ; beak, 1 | ; tarsi, U ; tail, 10.
The figure is o f the natural size.