ON THE SCARCITY OF BIRDS IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS. 199 



great effect to his brilliant plumage. He was perched with his back towards 

 me, and held a fish crossways in his beak, which he proceeded to beat 

 against the edge of the boat with considerable force, then setting it parallel 

 with his beak, swallowed it. 



I could easily have reached him with my walking-stick, but preferred 

 the contemplation of his lovely colours; so, standing still as possible, scarcely 

 venturing to breathe, I continued watching him. He remained for some 

 time dressing his feathers with his long beak, and evidently seemed satisfied 

 with his meal. Presently he hopped round, looking me full in the face. 

 Now, thinks I, he is off to a certainty. — No, there he continued to stand 

 with eyes appearing to meet mine, and affording me the same opportunity 

 of viewing his front as I had before of his back. Whether he saw me or 

 not, he shewed no alarm, and appeared perfectly at ease. Being in high 

 gratification in contemplating his brilliant colours, I was determined to 

 wait his full leisure and watch his movements, when from the soft and 

 slippery condition of the bank, my footing gave way, and, but for the 

 boat, I should certainly have gone into the river. The bird frightened 

 at the movement, flew away, displaying his brilliant colours in the rays of 

 the sun with great effect. 



What a pity it is this most beautiful of our British Birds should be 

 getting so scarce — the price given for it by owners of museums and col- 

 lections is an inducement for its capture, so that they are rarely seen in 

 places much frequented. 



I could not help remarking that in the whole course of my day's ramble, 

 I did not see one Magpie. Prejudice and persecution seem to have fol- 

 lowed this unfortunate bird even to this retired spot; neither did I see 

 one alive during my sojourn in Berkshire, before mentioned. In one of 

 my walks in that neighbourhood an incident occurred which throws some 

 light on the subject. My way for some time had been through a plan- 

 tation of considerable extent, my attention fully taken up with everything 

 on the wing, almost every variety of bird came under view except the 

 Magpie, when, upon emerging from the wood, appeared a tree with from 

 thirty to forty dead Magpies dangling from its branches. Country people 

 seem all to unite in the destruction of this gay and lively bird. Game- 

 keepers, in particular, shoot them without mercy, in the belief that they 

 destroy the eggs of Partridges. Whether there is any foundation for it 

 or not, seems doubtful, as many say the depredation is chargeable to stoats 

 and weasels; but even if such an act could be proved, the offence can only 

 exist for a very short period in the spring of the year, and after that 

 time he is employed in works of great service to the farmer, by destroying 

 millions of insects injurious to animals and vegetation. A foolish super- 

 stition also prevails respecting the appearance of this unfortunate bird — the 



