Genus GYMNOKITTA, Pr. Max.
Gymnorhinus, Pr. Max. Reise Nord. Amer. II, 1841, 21. (Type, G. cyanocephala.)
Gymnokitta, Pr. Max. “1850,” Gray.
Cyanocephalus, Bonap. “1842,” preoccupied in Botany.
Gymnokitta cyanocephala.
16247
Gen. Char. Bill elongated, depressed, shorter than the tarsus, longer than the head, without notch, similar to that of Sturnella in shape. Culmen nearly straight; commissure curved; gonys ascending. Nostrils small, oval, entirely exposed, the bristly feathers at the base of the bill being very minute. Tail short, nearly even, much shorter than the pointed wings, which cover three fourths of the tail. Tarsi considerably longer than the middle toe. Color of the single species blue, most intense anteriorly; the throat streaked with white.
The bill in this genus is not unlike that of Sturnus and Sturnella, and conspicuous among Corvinæ by its uncovered nostrils.
Gymnokitta cyanocephala, Pr. Max.
MAXIMILIAN’S JAY.