MAGPIES. 71 



which are placed low down, but in the centre of 

 a very thick prickly bush a stronghold rigidly 

 guarded against all-comers. Not even a small 

 bird dare perch on that sacred bush ; and if hawk 

 or weasel venture to poach for eggs or young 

 birds, husband and wife dash fearlessly at the 

 thief, and ring such changes on its head or body 

 with their powerful beaks, that victory generally 

 lies on the side of the crows. Seven is the 

 greatest number of eggs I ever found in a nest, 

 five and six being the average. I saw it north at 

 the extreme end of Vancouver Island, but do not 

 imagine that to be its limit. Its southern range 

 (I only speak from personal observation) was 

 Cape Flattery; whether it extends along the 

 coasts of Oregon and south of California, I do 

 not know. 



Very often magpies (Pica Hudsonlca] build 

 in the bushes, as close as safety permits them to 

 venture near the belligerent Fish Crows. These 

 thievish murderers are everywhere, from Vancou- 

 ver Island to the Rocky Mountains. They so very 

 nearly resemble our British bird, that one would 

 know no difference save by a careful comparison ; 

 seeing them in freedom, they appear to be iden- 

 tical. I call them murderers, because I have seen 

 them kill mules : and worse than that, pick the 



