FRUIT CROWS. 805 



valley between a double part of the roof, and this having been closely searched, a deposit was 

 discovered, not only of the things which Jack had that day carried off, but also of some arti- 

 cles which had been for some time supposed to be lost, but respecting which a breath of sus- 

 picion as to him had never been entertained. This day's successful foray led to his losing his 

 entire store, no doubt in the midst of his triumphant rejoicing." 



THE BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE (Pica rustica) differs from the European only in being larger, 

 and having a longer tail. It is said, also, that its voice is quite different. Its habitat is over 

 the Great Plains to the Pacific. The nest is curiously contrived to conceal the long tail- 

 feathers, which would be too conspicuous for the safety of the female it is domed by loose 

 overhanging branches and sticks. These birds, in numbers, prove troublesome to travellers ; 

 they annoy the cattle and horses that have sore backs, and they also steal their corn. 



The YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE, a variety of the preceding, is found in California. 



ALTHOUGH imported into Ireland at a comparatively late period, the Magpie has taken 

 complete possession of that island, and is found in very great numbers, four or five being 

 often seen within a few hundred yards of each other. The beautiful wings of this bird are 

 much sought after for the purpose of being dried, flattened, and mounted on hand-screens ; 

 the two wings being mounted with their external quills together, so as to form a screen of a 

 heart-like shape. 



Many superstitious ideas have always been current respecting the Magpie, its appearance 

 singly, doubly, or trebly being held as an omen of good or bad luck, and various predictions 

 being made from the direction in which it appeared to the observer. In many countries 

 respective tales and doctrines are still held by high and low alike. In the latter part of 1860, 

 an official despatch was presented to the Chamber of Deputies at Dresden, requesting a supply 

 of Magpies for the purpose of manufacturing a powder all-potent against epilepsy. Great 

 stress was laid upon the two points, that the birds must be neither deficient in claws nor 

 feathers, and that they must be shot between the 24th of December and the 18th of January. 

 This extraordinaiy document was not only presented and read in good faith, but was backed 

 by many noble names. 



The plumage of this bird is remarkably handsome both in color and form. The head, 

 neck, back, and upper tail-coverts are deep black, with a slight green gloss in certain lights ; 

 and the same color is found on the chin, the throat, the upper part of the breast, and the base, 

 tips, and outer edges of the primary quill-feathers. The secondaries are also black, but with 

 a blue gloss, which becomes peculiarly rich on the tertials and wing-coverts. The inner web 

 of the primaries is white for a considerable portion of its length, presenting a bold and con- 

 spicuous appearance when the bird spreads its wings. The central feathers of the tail are 

 nearly eleven inches in length, and they decrease gradually in size ; those on the exterior being 

 hardly five inches long. Their color is a wonderfully rich mixture of the deepest blue, purple, 

 and green, the green being towards the base, and the blue and purple towards the extremity. 

 The under surface of the tail-feathers is dull black. The lower parts of the breast, abdomen, 

 and flanks are snowy white. The total length of the adult male bird is about eighteen inches, 

 the female being rather smaller and with a shorter tail. 



FRUIT CROWS. 



THE Fruit Crows are placed by some systematic authors among the Chatterers, while 

 others, as in the catalogue which we follow, have considered them to be nearly related to the 

 true Crows. They are all natives of Southern America, and are distinguished by their straight 

 flattened beak, with its upper mandible round, and a notch at its extremity. The nostrils are 

 placed in two membranous grooves at each side of the bill. Most of the Fruit Crows are of 

 considerable dimensions, some species equalling the Crows of Europe, while others are a 

 little less. 



TOL. U.-89. 



