22 THE STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



it between the wires, holding it temptingly to the fowls and chickens, and 

 when either of them ran eagerly towards it, he would draw it back in 

 evident enjoyment of the fun, and run off with it to his own hiding-place. 

 At the termination of the young man's visit he returned home, carrying 

 the Magpie with him. A cigar box was converted so as to contain him, 

 and in this Mag travelled to Bath. The journey was made through 

 Salisbury, where some detention took place, when the box containing Mag 

 was deposited, with other packages, upon a table in a room appropriated 

 to the use of travellers. Whilst in this situation he made so loud a noise 

 with his hard beak against the side of the box, as to alarm many in the 

 room, some of whom concluded it to be spirit rapping, and no doubt would 

 have gone away with that impression, if they had not been undeceived. 



Upon reaching home Mag was quickly released from confinement, apparently 

 none the worse, as he hopped about briskly, highly pleased at the recovery 

 of his liberty. Food was brought to him, when a large cat — (this cat it 

 should be mentioned is a remarkable fine one, an especial favourite, not 

 only with individuals belonging to the family, but with visitors also; over 

 the dogs attached to the establishment he reigns supreme, and is the terror 

 of the feathered tribe about the garden and grounds: fowls and ducks are 

 not spared, and in spite of all correction a victim frequently falls to his 

 terrible claws; nevertheless his clean handsome appearance, with delicately 

 striped fur, and his insinuating ways, cause all his depredations to be 

 overlooked; latterly he has been invested with a bell fastened round his 

 neck, which by tinkling with his slightest movement, gives timely notice 

 of his approach, and affords opportunities of escape to numbers of his 

 meditated victims.) This formidable animal approached Mag with stealthy 

 steps and glaring eyes, bent on his destruction. The bird, nothing daunted, 

 stood firm as iron, watching the movements of the cat, and regarding him 

 with bold determination After a few minutes puss slunk away, leaving Mag 

 master of the field; he then made his repast in perfect self-possession, and 

 having selected a projecting peg used for hanging harness upon, as a roosting- 

 place, was left for the night. 



Next morning Mag was introduced to the garden, of which a tame Gull 

 had hitherto possessed the sole range, which Gull shewed no disposition to 

 fraternise with Mag; neither did Mag bestow the slightest notice upon the 

 Gull. This same Gull had been procured, at some trouble and expense, 

 from a small rocky island in the Bristol Channel, for the purpose of 

 destroying the snails and slugs abounding in the garden, but however 

 serviceable his habits might be towards effecting that object, they were far 

 outdone by Mag, and my friend says that it was with the utmost satis- 

 faction he watched the vigour and activity displayed by Mag in dashing 

 away the leaves from side to side and pouncing upon every snail and slug; he 



