Azure-winged Magpie Research Articles

Brood Parasitism by the Cuckoo Cuculus canorus in Japan and the Start of New Parasitism on the Azure-winged

Potential host species of the Cuckoo in Japan, frequency of parasitism in central Honshu, and the process of the establishiment of a new parasitic relation with the Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyana were studied both by literature and field work.1) Twenty-eight species have been recorded as cuckoo hosts in Japan and twelve species of them are major hosts. The numbers of host species were greatest in central Honshu (20 species).2) The mean rates of parasitism by the cuckoo on a total of six major hosts were more than 10 in Nagano Prefecture, central Honshu. The highest parasitism rate was 79.6% on a local popula-tion of the Azure-winged Magpie.3) Dynamic changes of parasitic relations between cuckoos and the hosts occurred during the last 60 years. About 15 years ago, the Cuckoo began to parasitize the Azure-winged Magpie. The parasitism rate increased rapidly and has now expanded to almost all of the breeding range of the Magpie. Conversely, the Siberian Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides has become a rare host.4) The new parasitic relation with the magpie started as the result of their range overlap after their range expansions. In most regions, the cuckoo parasitism on the magpie did not start soon after their range overlap, but took about 10 to 15 years.5) The characteristics of the cuckoo parasitism in Nagano Prefecture and the process of the establishment of new parasitic relation were discussed.

Characteristic Features of Group Living Life of the Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyana

1) The social system of Azure-winged Magpies Cyanopica cyana was studied at Hizume, Nagano City, from 1983 to 1984, and at Kawanakajima, Nagano City, from 1962 to 1965 and inwinter of 1983.2) The six months from April to September were defined as the breeding season, because pairs with or without their fledglings were observed during this period.3) In the non-breeding season, flocks consisting of about 20 magpies were formed and the size of each flock was stable throughout the day.4) In the non-breeding season, all members of a flock always roosted together. In winter and spring, different flocks sometimes roosted together without any antagonistic behavior.5) The home range of Hizume flock was 1.2 km long and 0.9 km wide, and included 18 units of premises consisting of some houses and surrounding woods. Magpies spent longer time in premises with closed woods than those with sparse woods.6) Home ranges of flocks seemed to coincide nearly with territories, because the home ranges overlapped little with each other and chases were observed around the boundaries of the ranges.7) Flocks broke up into some pairs, non-breeding adults and subadults in the breeding season. At Hizume, nests of pairs belonging to the same winter flock were built 10-20 m apart from each other in a unit of premises, and the flock members visited the nests without any antagonistic behavior.8) The fledging rate was nearly 50%. Families consisting of pairs and their fledglings were observed from mid-May to mid-September. Family members moved and roosted together in the nesting woods about one month after fledging.9) There was no antagonistic behavior between families of the same flock. Some adults which had failed in breeding joined families, and one subadult fed fledglings as a helper.10) Even in the breeding season, not only pairs but also some non-breeding adults and subadults of the same flock sometimes moved or roosted together. They showed defensive behavior against conspecific intruders or natural enemies such as domestic cats and crows.11) As a conclusion of comparison among group-living birds, the Azure-winged Magpie was considered as a typical species which formed stable flocks throughout the year.

Occurrence of Campylobacter jejuni in free-living wild birds from Japan.

Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 44 of 313 free-living birds from Japan. The highest isolation rate was found in 30 of 87 (34%) crows (Corvus levaillanti and Corvus corone), followed by 2 of 10 (20%) blue magpies (Cyanopica cyanus), 5 of 35 (14%) gray starlings (Sturnus cineraceus), 2 of 16 (13%) domestic pigeons (Columbia livia domestica), 4 of 36 (11%) bulbuls (Hypsipetes amaurotis), and 1 of 62 (2%) eastern turtledoves (Streptopelia orientalis). One-fourth of the contents of the crop and stomach of the crows was human refuse. One-third of the crop and stomach contents of gray starlings and blue magpies consisted of insects. More than one-half of the contents of bulbuls and eastern turtledoves were seeds and plant material. These differences in food habits may be a primary factor in the varying prevalence of C. jejuni in these respective avian species.

Cooperative Breeding in Azure-Winged Magpies, Cyanopica cyana, Living in a Region of Heavy Snowfall

The frequency of occurrence of helpers, their age and sex, and certain behavior at nests were investigated in Azure-winged Magpies, Cyanopica cyana, living in central Japan, a region of heavy snowfall. One group of 16 birds was a summer visitor and the other two groups of about 20 birds were resident. Out of 14 nests we observed in 1983, six had one to two helpers, one had no helper, and at the other seven we could not confirm whether helpers attended or not. Therefore, 43% to 93% of nests had helpers. One helper was known to attend at least four nests, and seven of 14 marked individuals (50%) acted as helpers. These results mean that cooperative breeding occurs regularly in this population.

Heavy Brood Parasitism by the Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus on the Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyana

(1) In the course of a study of the social behavior of Azure-winged Magpies Cyanopica cyana in 1984 and 1985 at Azumino, Nagano Prefecture, we found heavy brood parasitism by Common Cuckoos.(2) A total of 31 nests out of 41 (75.6%), among core groups and 15 nests of 30 (50.0%) in secondary groups were parasitized. Eight nests contained two, and one contained three cuckoo eggs.(3) The earliest magpie nests, in which the first egg was laid during the middle of May, were parasitized less frequently (11.1%) than later nests (68.8%).(4) Cuckoo eggs (23.4×17.4 mm, n=13) were smaller than Azure-winged Magpie eggs (27.67×20.16 mm, n=16).(5) Azure-winged Magpies suffered heavy brood parasitism by Common Cuckoos probably because of the short history of the host-parasite relationship between them, which is as a result of a recent expansion of their breeding areas in Nagano Prefecture.

A Study of Life History of Blue Magpie (11)

1. During February, 1964 and July, 1972, roosts and roosting hehavior of Blue Magpie Cyanopica cyana were investigated at four different places: Kawanakajima and Karuizawa in Nagano, and Shibuya and Kurume city in Tokyo.2. In autumn to winter, roost trees were chiefly evergreen plants, such as red pine, bamboo and auk, although 'konara' and reed were used early in autumn.3. The heights of roosting trees differed from 2 to 20m, but as already reported, the height did not influence the roosting behavior.4. Dense group of trees was usually selected as roost but in some cases, a single tree near a house was also used, showing a wide roost selection.5. Thus, a roost may be taken in a tree close to house, or along a road with busy traffic, and therefore, the relation with a ditch (for safety) reported in earlier paper may have been a local case.6. Roosts of non-breeding period are continuously used (as reported).7. Earlier and present observations show that the roosting behavior advances as follows: 1) Feeding around 2) Gathering in a tree 3) Flight to roost site 4) Some preroosting celemonial behavior 5) Entering into roost and perch site selection 6) Fall in sleep.8. Behavior in the roost tree advances from selection of sleeping branch, preroosting rest and then to actual sleeping, thus some resting time precedes the sleeping.9. These rather celemonial behaviors were similar between free living birds and those kept in a flying-cage.10. Some factors, such as light intensity, distance from roost, weather and food intake, that may influence roosting behavior were discussed. The lowering light intensity was influential to flock movements directed to the roost and then to actual sleep, but the effect of light intensity rather differed by flocks observed. Within three km from the roost, the distance did not influence the starting time for roosting flight, the strong wind, snow fall, both through coldness, caused earlier roosting time, while the effect of the rate of food intake for the day before roosting was not clear.

An investigation into egg-acceptance by azure-winged magpies and host-recognition by great spotted cuckoo chicks

Tests using magpie's eggs (which are very similar to those of the great spotted cuckoo) on azure-winged magpies ( Cyanopica cyanea) showed that the latter accept strange eggs, rejecting only 25% of them. We therefore suggest that they are an accepter species, and as such a substitute host species for the great spotted cuckoo ( Clamator glandarius). We suggest a theory for the transition from ‘Accepter Species’ to ‘Non-mimetic-egg Rejecter Species’ by hosts of specialist brood parasites. We have obtained evidence of host recognition by great spotted cuckoo chicks of typical or atypical host species characteristics. Basing our theory on the calls of parasitic chicks reared in the nests of the azure-winged magpies and magpies ( Pica pica), we suggest that the foregoing is the mating mechanism necessary for the parasitization of a new host species.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FRUIT-EATING BIRDS AND SEED DISPERSAL IN URBANIZED AREAS

Feeding ecology, of fruit-eating birds and seed dispersal were studied from Oct. 1976 to March 1978 in urbanized areas, eastern part of Tokyo and north-western part of Chiba Prefecture. The results of study with a special emphasis on the co-adaptative relation between fruits and birds were as follows.(1) Of 35 species of wintering birds observed in the study areas, the four species of Hypsipetes amaurotis, Sturnus cineraceus, Turdus naumanni and Cyanopica cyana were recognized to be most effective for fruit dispersal. These four species were middle-sized birds with an average of 50-100g in the body weight.(2) The population of three wintering species, H. amaurotis, S. cineraceus and T. naumanni increased from middle of Dec. to early Feb. at the Mizumoto Park, but at Kinshicho and Ichikawa the increase was occured at the beginning and middle of February. When H. amaurotis and S. cineraceus migrate from the Mizumoto Park in the rural area into the center of the urbanized area, the flock size of birds became smaller.(3) Seeds of species were found in the bird's droppings. The dominant species in seed (determined by the frequency of appearance more than 50% and number of seed more than 50 individuals) were Ligustrum lucidum, L. japonica, Ilex integra, I. crenata, Aucuba japonica, Paederia scandens, Sophora japonica and Cotoneaster horizontalis. The seed species eaten by birds were composed mainly of species planted in order to give the greenery and beauty in the urban environment. Some of them were climbing plants which were utilized frequently by fruit-eating birds as resting or foraging places.(4) A short distance dispersal of seeds within about 300 m was also observed. As tte foraging behaviour of wintering birds were disturbed in the urbanized areas, fruit-eating birds usually fly short distances around parent trees.(5) Almost all the seeds of species dispersed by birds germinate on May, and 70% of the seedings of L. lucidium were killed under dark or dry conditions by October.(6) From the relationship between the fruit size (shorter diameter) and the angle of mouth, four types of fruit size were classified.Type A: more than 25 mm. This type of species could not be swallowed but be pecked by fruit-eating birds. 5 species were observed.Type B: 10-15 mm. This type of species could not be swallowed effectively. 7 species were observed.Type C: 5-10 mm. This type of species was swallowed most effectively. 35 species were observed.Type D: 3-5 mm. This type of species was too small to be harvested effectively. 8 species were observed.H. amaurotis (the mouth size average=15.4±0.06, range 13.8-17.0mm, n=45) can swallow fruits of the type C effectively.(7) Attractive fruit colours such as red, black or orange occupied 92.2% of 52 fruit species. 70% of fruiting species had fruit clusters. They are attractive for birds, and make the fruit-eating bird to find out or harvest fruits effectively.

A study of the life history of Blue Magpie (10)

1. Behavior of Blue Magpie Cyanopica cyana against other bird species was studied during April 1962 and December 1973 in Nagano City area.2. The Kitatobe population of Blue Magpie was kept under observation of reactions against other birds of 53 species (27 families) which intruded or trespassed the home range. Of these birds, the Blue Magpie's reaction was observed against the following species: Calonectris leucomelas (a strayed individual), Nycticorax, nycticorax, Egretta garzetta, Anser albifrons, Milvus migrans, Buteo buteo, Falco tinnunculus, Sterna albifrons, Streptopelia orientalis, Cuculus canorus, Hypsipetes amaurotis, Lanius cristatus, Passer montanus, Sturnus cineraceus, Sturnus sturnina, Garrulus glandarius and Corvus corone.3. The behavior against these intruders was described in each case and the reaction patterns could be classified into: 1) harmful (or predatory) relation, 2) food relation, 3) roost relation.4. The harmful relation was seen against 13 species and consisted of: A. Emission of alarm notes B. Attacking, C. Mobbing, D. Chasing flight, E. Fleeing, and A. was most usual.5. Sensitive reaction was observed against some large water birds. such as Night Heron or egrets, etc., the meaning of which however was not clear.6. Against buzzard and kestrel, the Blue Magpie reacted when they were flying and not reacted or mobbed when they were perched. Against kite, it behaved differently, only reacting when the kite was flying low and straight.7. The frequency of reaction against cuckoo was low and the effect of its plumage of raptor pattern was not evident.8. Against Carrion Crow, alarm note reaction was usual throughout the year and in breeding season strong attacking and chasing behaviors were added. No reaction was shown against young crows or flocks in roosting flight.9. The dominance relation for food of Grey Starling>Blue Magpie>Brown-eared Bulbul was confirmed. Such specific ranks in food competition are correlated not only with amount or distribution pattern of the food but also with specific food preference.10. The roost relation was seen between the Grey Starlings. The Blue Magpie moved off from its settled roosting position by social pressure of increasing number of arriving starlings.

A study of life history of Blue Magpie (9)

1. During February, 1964 and July, 1972, roosts and roosting hehavior of Blue Magpie Cyanopica cyana were investigated at four different places: Kawanakajima and Karuizawa in Nagano, and Shibuya and Kurume city in Tokyo.2. In autumn to winter, roost trees were chiefly evergreen plants, such as red pine, bamboo and auk, although 'konara' and reed were used early in autumn.3. The heights of roosting trees differed from 2 to 20m, but as already reported, the height did not influence the roosting behavior.4. Dense group of trees was usually selected as roost but in some cases, a single tree near a house was also used, showing a wide roost selection.5. Thus, a roost may be taken in a tree close to house, or along a road with busy traffic, and therefore, the relation with a ditch (for safety) reported in earlier paper may have been a local case.6. Roosts of non-breeding period are continuously used (as reported).7. Earlier and present observations show that the roosting behavior advances as follows: 1) Feeding around 2) Gathering in a tree 3) Flight to roost site 4) Some preroosting celemonial behavior 5) Entering into roost and perch site selection 6) Fall in sleep.8. Behavior in the roost tree advances from selection of sleeping branch, preroosting rest and then to actual sleeping, thus some resting time precedes the sleeping.9. These rather celemonial behaviors were similar between free living birds and those kept in a flying-cage.10. Some factors, such as light intensity, distance from roost, weather and food intake, that may influence roosting behavior were discussed. The lowering light intensity was influential to flock movements directed to the roost and then to actual sleep, but the effect of light intensity rather differed by flocks observed. Within three km from the roost, the distance did not influence the starting time for roosting flight, the strong wind, snow fall, both through coldness, caused earlier roosting time, while the effect of the rate of food intake for the day before roosting was not clear.

Observation and Experiment in the Analysis of Interactions between Brood Parasites and Their Hosts

Previous articleNext article No AccessLetters to the EditorObservation and Experiment in the Analysis of Interactions between Brood Parasites and Their HostsStephen I. RothsteinStephen I. Rothstein Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 105, Number 941Jan. - Feb., 1971 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/282702 Views: 2Total views on this site Citations: 15Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1971 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Juan J. Soler, David Martín-Gálvez, Liesbeth de Neve, Manuel Soler Brood parasitism correlates with the strength of spatial autocorrelation of life history and defensive traits in Magpies, Ecology 94, no.66 (Jun 2013): 1338–1346.https://doi.org/10.1890/12-1350.1Karl Schulze-Hagen, Bard G. Stokke, Tim R. Birkhead Reproductive biology of the European Cuckoo Cuculus canorus: early insights, persistent errors and the acquisition of knowledge, Journal of Ornithology 150, no.11 (Oct 2008): 1–16.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-008-0340-8David Martín-Gálvez, Juan J. Soler, Juan Gabriel Martínez, Andrew P. Krupa, Manuel Soler, Terry Burke CUCKOO PARASITISM AND PRODUCTIVITY IN DIFFERENT MAGPIE SUBPOPULATIONS PREDICT FREQUENCIES OF THE 457bp ALLELE: A MOSAIC OF COEVOLUTION AT A SMALL GEOGRAPHIC SCALE, Evolution 61, no.1010 (Oct 2007): 2340–2348.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2007.00194.xTOMÁŠ GRIM Mimicry vs. similarity: which resemblances between brood parasites and their hosts are mimetic and which are not?, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 84, no.11 (Dec 2004): 69–78.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.2005.00414.xTina L. Fleischer, Glen E. Woolfenden Florida Scrub-Jays eject foreign eggs added to their nests, Journal of Field Ornithology 75, no.11 (Jan 2004): 49–50.https://doi.org/10.1648/0273-8570-75.1.49ALEXANDER CRUZ, TIMOTHY D. MANOLIS, ROBERT W. ANDREWS Reproductive interactions of the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis and the Yellow-hooded Blackbird Agelaius icterocephalus in Trinidad, Ibis 132, no.33 (Apr 2008): 436–444.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1990.tb01061.xAlexander Cruz, James W. Wiley THE DECLINE OF AN ADAPTATION IN THE ABSENCE OF A PRESUMED SELECTION PRESSURE, Evolution 43, no.11 (May 2017): 55–62.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.1989.tb04206.xPaul Mason, Stephen I. Rothstein COEVOLUTION AND AVIAN BROOD PARASITISM: COWBIRD EGGS SHOW EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSE TO HOST DISCRIMINATION, Evolution 40, no.66 (May 2017): 1207–1214.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.1986.tb05745.xStephen I. Rothstein, David A. Yokel, Robert C. Fleischer Social Dominance, Mating and Spacing Systems, Female Fecundity, and Vocal Dialects in Captive and Free-Ranging Brown-Headed Cowbirds, (Jan 1986): 127–185.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6784-4_3Olin Sewall Pettingill Eggs, Egg-laying, and Incubation, (Jan 1985): 295–312.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-552455-1.50021-6Alexander Cruz, Timothy Manolis, James W. Wiley The Shiny Cowbird: A Brood Parasite Expanding Its Range in the Caribbean Region, Ornithological Monographs , no.3636 (Jan 1985): 607–620.https://doi.org/10.2307/40168308Paul V. Loiselle Filial cannibalism and egg recognition by males of the primitively custodial teleost Cyprinodon macularius californiensis girard (Atherinomorpha: Cyprinodontidae), Ethology and Sociobiology 4, no.11 (Jan 1983): 1–9.https://doi.org/10.1016/0162-3095(83)90002-XLuis Arias-de-Reyna, Sebastian J. Hidalgo An investigation into egg-acceptance by azure-winged magpies and host-recognition by great spotted cuckoo chicks, Animal Behaviour 30, no.33 (Aug 1982): 819–823.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(82)80155-3Stephen I. Rothstein Mechanisms of avian egg-recognition: Do birds know their own eggs?, Animal Behaviour 23 (May 1975): 268–278.https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(75)90075-5 Stephen I. Rothstein Evolutionary Rates and Host Defenses Against Avian Brood Parasitism, The American Naturalist 109, no.966966 (Oct 2015): 161–176.https://doi.org/10.1086/282984

A study of the life history of Blue Magpie 7

1. Breeding ecology of Cyanopica cyana studied during 1966-1969 in Nagano City area is reported.2. Seventy nests were found in 23 species of trees. The percimon was most often used (19 nests) and other trees used were cryptomeria (8), red pine (7), Ichii-tree (6), apple tree (6), maple (4), etc. A Ichii-tree standing at favorable spot was used four times.3. The nest site differed from 2-10m above the ground, most often 4-8m, and the nest was placed more often on a horizontal branch or a leader. The fledging success was best (44.8%) from the nest of horizontal branch.4. The nests were found grouped at the western portion of the flock home range, probably subject to the distribution of prefered nesting trees, and orchards were not so used though extensive.5. The nest is cup-shaped, constructed with external small twigs, some soil at the bottom, and lined inside with moss. The nest material were either picked up from the ground or taken from branches, not far from the nest site.6. Nest-building pairs did not departed from the flock and worked only some time of the day while acting as members of the flock.7. The male carried nest material but not worked for nest-building, while the female did the both.8. Breeding procedure consisted of (confirming previous report), 2 weeks of nesting period 6.5 days of egg-laying period, 15 days of incubation period, 17-18 days of feeding period, 27 days or more of family life (feeding fledglings), some 80 days in total.9. The clutch size ranged 5-8, average 6.6 eggs. Large clutch size of 8 eggs were found during early season in May and delayed clutches were smaller.10. The hatching rate was 71%, the average fledging success being 22.5% from egg, and 31.6% from chick (66.5% in pervious study). The best fledging success was 49% from the clutch of 7 eggs. The factors concerned are discussed.11. Time and behavior of female's egg laying, courtship feeding and incubation behavior are described. The attendance rate of incubation was 66-95% varying by weather, temperature etc.12. Only nest-site territoriality was noticed during nest-building period. In other time there was no territorial behavior except an incubating pair chased the other pair which intended nest-building close to them.

A study of the life history of Blue Magpie 6

1. This sixth report on Cyanopica cyana is based on field observations of December 1963 to April 1968 and on a wide anquête on flock distribution in Nagano Prefecture. Movements of young birds were also studied.2. Local flock distribution was plotted on a 1/50.000 map of the prefecture, with an area of 19.600km2, sectioned into 49 of 1km2 squares. This plotting was based on data collected from 82 persons and one museum. The distributional pattern was centered in central Nagano-Ueda (particularly Nagano area) plain surrounded by mountain ranges, with scattered flocks to the peripheral foot zones. The interesting fact was that the distribution was restricted to the east (Nagano) side of the geologically important fossa magna. Local changes in distribution have also been noticed.3. Vertically, the distributional limit was found at 1, 600m on Kirigamine plateau from bottomland of 310m of altitude.4. No correlation of distribution with annual rainfall nor temperatures was found and it was distributed even in the districts with snowfall of 3m.5. Habitat environments included human habitation area, orchards and both broad and needleleaved woods, but with special preference to the combinations of human habitation with orchards or woods surrounding houses.6. The movement area of fledged young birds was limited in the diurnal activity range of the flock they belonged to. They were recorded within 20-570m from the nest.7. Birds ringed as nestlings were recovered after 0.5-20.5 months and there was no correlation of their dispersal distances and periods elapsed.

Notes on the birds of Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture

1. The result of ten-year research of birds at Kashiwazaki, Niigata, on Japan Sea coast of Honshu is reported.2. Beside observations, the records of beach drifted sea birds and banding results at Akuta marsh area (since 1966) are important part of this report.3. In all 42 Families, 238 sp. and subsp. (235 species) are listed with annotation, and the following birds, rare or accidental as species or subspecies to Japan, are included: Aethia psittaculus, Fratercula corniculata, Turdus hortulorum, Upupa epops, Dendronanthus indicus, Anthus gustavi, Erythrina erythrina, Emberiza spodocephala spodocephala, Emberiza schoeniclus pallidior, Plectrophenax nivalis vlasowi.4. Kashiwazaki area is peculiary important as a concentration of migratory birds due to special local meteorological conditions. Sea bird drift on this beach includes such northern alcids as Ae. psittaculus, Fratercula corniculata, etc. not found along other Honshu coasts, and Uria lomvia is more numerous than U. aalge.5. Among land birds, the heavy migrations of Locustella ochotensis, Emberiza schoeniclus, E. spodocephala, etc. or occasional large wintering flocks of Carduelis flammea, are noticable. Akuta marsh is an important resting place for migrants as well as being the communal roost for Sturnus cineraceus, S. sturnia, Hirundo rustica, H. daurica, Chloris sinica and Passer montanus. The migratory bird flocks are so numerous as many are struck at telephone wires.6. Data on rare stragglers and the flock movements of Otus scops (recently considered as resident) or Lanius bucephalus, usually a solitary wonderer, etc. are reported.7. Cyanopica cyana became established and is increasing as breeding species since 1965.

Chick food analysis of some Korean birds (II)

Observations were made on the feeding habits of nestings of ten species, Lanius tigrinus, Butorides striatus amurensis, Emberiza f. fucata, Motacilla alba leucopsis, Oriolus chinensis diffusus, Accipiter nisus nisosimilis, Microscelis amaurotis hensoni, Garrulus glandarius brandtii, Accipiter soloensis and Cyanopica cyanus koreensis. The investigation was made in Kwangnung experimental forest, Kyunggi-do and the nearby open field by using collar method.Accipiter nisus nisosimilis, Microscelis amaurotis hensoni, Garrulus glandarius brandtii and Cyanopica cyanus koreensis are permanent residents and the other six species are common summer residents. The following is the food that these nestlings consumed:1. Lanius tigrinusThe food they consumed was animal matter composed of; insect larvae-41.5%, insect adults-49.4%, spiders-7.69%, frogs-1.53%. The cicada, Gampsocleis ussuriensis made up 33.8% of the insect larvae. The cricket, Platypleura kaempferi made up 35.4% of the adult insects. Only one species of spiders, Clubiona jucunda was seen, 7.69% of the food.2. Butorides striatus amurensisThe food was animal matters composed of; small freshwater fishes-48.57%, Ranidae-45.71%, others-5.71%. Twenty percent of the small freshwater fishes was Zacco platypus while Hemibarbuo logirostris made up 14.28%. Among Amphibians, Rana n. nigromaculata included 22.8%.3. Emberiza f. fucataThe food was animal matter; insect larvae-63.3%, adult insects-25.64%, others-12.78%. Since 48.1% of the food items was larvae of Pieris rapae, it is most useful for agriculture.4. Motacilla alba leucopsisThe food during their nesting period was animal matter composed of; insect larvae-30.5%, adult insects-55.4%, spiders-13.9%. The commonest insect larvae were Odonata indet-22.2%. The commonest adult insects were Syrphidae indet-16.6%. Of the spiders Lycosa sp. made up 12.1% and Lycosa astrigera 2.8%.5. Oriolus chinensis diffususThe food was animal matter composed of; insect larvae-62.36%, adult insects-20.17%, others-17.42%. It should be noted that from the initial time of its feeding until leaving its nest it consumed Dendrolimus spectabilis, a noxious forest insect which made up 45.08% of the diet. Thus it is very useful birds eliminating noxious forest insects.6. Accipiter nisus nisosimilisThe food was animal matter composed of; small passerine birds-87.5%, Ranidae-12.05%. It consumed such forest birds as Paridae.7. Microscelis amaurotis hensoniThe food was primarily insect adults: insect adults-79.65%, Mollusca-12.15%, vegetable matter-4.05%, insect larvae-2.70%, Araneina-1.35%. Homoptera was 43.35% of adult insects.8. Garrlus glandarius brandtiiThe food during its nesting period was solely animal matter; insect larvae-38.80%, adult insects-28.90%, Aranenina-24.87%, adult Amphibia-15.49%. Right after hatching and until leaving its nest, Dendrolimus spectabilis-35.08%, Araneina-24.87%, Clubione jucunda-6.43% were fed. Therefore 73.48% of the total food was noxious forestry insects.9. Accipiter soloensisThe food during the whole feeding period was primarily Rana n. nigromaculata-89.09%, but small quantity of Platypleura kaempferi-8.26%, was also fed.10. Cyanopica cyanus koreensisThe food was composed of; insect larvae-6.11%, adult insects-60.55%, Hyla arborea japonica-12.22%, vegetable matter-1.11%, Gampsocleis ussuriensis-23.39%, Platypleura kaempferi-15.55%, and Hyla arborea japonica-12.22% were the prefered food supplied during the whole feeding period.

A study of the life history or Blue Magpie

1. Roosting behavior of the Blue Magpie Cyanopica cyana was studied during March 1962 and April 1964 in Nagano district, Honshiu.2. Apple orchards and garden trees were used as roosts and factors such as, kind and height of trees, foliage cover, nearby traffic and snow, were analysed.3. The roosts were seasonally changed according to the annual flocking cycle and roost conditions.4. Five categories of flock roosting could be classified into: male roost (during incubation period), family roost, compound family roost, small area roost (autumn to winter) and large area roost (winter).5. These consisted of three types: breeding season roosts, roosts within a home range and roosts outside home range (winter).6. Factors influencing the roosting behavior: light intensity and food condition, were considered.7. The evening (entering) and morning (leaving) behavior at roosts in different roost types and seasons were described.

A study of the life history of Blue Magpie 4

1. During August 1962 and December 1965, field observations of the Blue Magpie Cyanopica cyana were made in three localities in Nagano and one place in Tokyo. The daily routine of flock movements, seasonal change of activity and the time spent at various environments along the daily routes, were chiefly studied.2. The length of daily activity time was average 60% of the day (24 hours) in family flocks and 45% in local area flocks. It also changed with the seasonal day length.3. The family flock took a simple fixed route of movement, while the local area flocks traced a very complicated course, taking different directions in an irregular way and finally returned to or near the fixed roost.4. Each family flock never mixed its young birds with each other. The leader of a flock was not recognized, and the flock's route changed when there was predator including men.5. It was postulated that flock makes an evaluation of environment, changing the staying time and moving speed according to different local conditions.6. A local flock may move 3.5-5.0km a day, with the speed of 340-520m/h and the difference by morning and afternoon was irregular.7. A local flock moved 10-17 ha per day, which was 34-60% of the total daily activity range. This range covered 0.65-0.85km east to west and 0.7-0.8km north to south.8. The dispersion density within a total daily activity range was 0.6-1.9 bird/ha.

Paronchocerca mansoni sp.nov. from Pica pica sericea (Gould) and Caynopica cyana interposita Hartert, Peking, China, with observations on the genus Paronchocerca Peters, 1936.

A new species of filarial worm, Paronchocerca mansoni, a cardiac parasite of Pica pica sericea (Gould) and Cyanopica cyana interposita Hartert, is reported from Peking, China. The thread-like adults of both species taper towards anterior and posterior ends. The cuticle exhibits superficial rugae, with multiple transverse striations underneath. The lipless mouth is surrounded by 4 paired submedian papillae and one lateral pair of amphids. The posterior end of the body is curved ventrad; the post-anal region is short. The male measures 17 mm. long and 0·14 mm. in diameter; the female, 35·8 mm. long by 0·23 mm. in diameter. In both sexes the anterior muscular oesophagus is short, the posterior glandular portion much longer. In the male, there are two pairs of pre-anal and one pair of post-anal papillae, likewise one pair of subterminal caudal papillae. There are neither caudal alae nor gubernaculum. The longer left spicule and the shorter right one have distinct species-characteristic morphological patterns. In the female, the vulva opens approximately 2·0 mm. from the anterior end. The microfilariae are sheathless; immature ones preponderate in heart blood; mature ones, present in heart blood and exclusively in circulating blood, measure 147 to 184 by 6·0 to 6·5 microns.

A study of the life history of Blue Magpie (3). Chick foods

1. Foods were collected from Blue Magpie nestlings Cyanopica cyana by collar method at two places in Shinonoi City, Nagano, Honshiu, during July 1965. Chicks were collared 60 minutes with vinyl cord.2. 29 species of chick foods were collected, which included only one vegetable item, fruits of Morus bombycis. Among animal matters, Platypleura kaempferi, Eristalis cerealis, Armadillidium unglare, along with Morus bombycis as a plant matter, were common items at the two places, and local faunal difference and food preference of parent birds were discussed.3. In frequency, insects occupied 72% of chick foods, comprising 22% Diptera, 9.2% Coleoptera, and 6.4% Orthoptera etc. Their frequencies as adult, young or pupae stages were shown by a graph.4. Chick foods little differed by age and Morus fruits and some insects were given at all ages.5. The raw weights of foods per chick were measured and twice as much were given during the middle or later nestling period compared with early stage of the chicks.

A study of the life history of Blue Magpie (I)

1. The breeding biology of the Blue Magpie Cyanopica cyana was studied in Nagano Prefectuae during 1962-1965.2. The nesting succcss was analysed in regard to the kind of tree, nest-site, height from the ground and nesting distance (There was a tendency of group nesting).3. Egg dates, incubation and nestling periods were analysed. The breeding season lasts from middle of May to late July, the average egg date was June 6, and no second brood was confirmed.4. Clutch size ranged from 5 to 8 and the frequent sizes were 6-7. Brood size ranged from 1 to 7, most frequently 6. The flying success was highest from larger broods of 6-7 chicks.5. Factors affecting the breeding rates during incubation and nestling periods were considered. The hatching rate was 68% and fledging rates were 30.5% from clutch and 66.5% after hatching.6. Female only incubates and incubation and brooding constancies were calculated by Skutch's method. Male's feeding behavior to the female was described and feeding frequencies are given.7. Size, shape and volume indexes of eggs were calculated.8. The growth of chicks was described and growth rates of body weight, wing and tail lengths, tarsus and culmen were measured.