'HIE M.vririi:. 265 



positions, liowcvcr, arc cijually oiiiiiivorous, aiul tlioy arc distinguished by the same 

 sly and furtive cunning. There is only a single Enroj)ean species, our couimon British 

 kind (C. Pica, Linn.), which occurs all over Europe, and is well known in North iVmcrica 

 and in some parts of Asia. Man}' beautiful species occur in China, and other eastern 

 countries, such, for example, as the red-billed pie (P. Erythrorhi/iicha, Gould). Its size 

 exceeds that of our common kind, and the great length of its tail bestows upon it a still 

 more slender and elegant aspect. The prevailing colours are blue, with bars of black and 

 white. It is often kept iu aviai-ies, where it is highly esteemed on account both of its 

 docilitv and beauty. This species, likewise, inhabits the nimala3'a mountains, and there 

 is reason to believe that it is heix-e and tyrannical in a state of nature. Mr. Shore states, 

 that one which he kept in captivity, although it refused other food, pounced ferociously 

 iipon living birds, which were presented by way of experiment, and eagerly devoured 

 tlieni. When seen amid the foliage of trees, it forms an ornamental and conspicuous 

 object, flitting from bough to bough, its long and flowing tail waving in the wind, and 

 its whole form full of \"ivacity and grace. The Chinese magpie (P. .■^ii/rnain), made known 

 b)- tlie researches of General Hardwicke, seems widely extended over tracts of land of 

 very variotis character as to height and situation. It inhabits the higher portions of the 

 Himalayas, the plains at their base, and a great part of the Chinese emj^ire. 



"This bird," says Dr. Richardson, "so common in Europe, is equally pleutifid in the 

 prairie-lands of America ; but it is singular, that though it abomids on the shores of 

 Sweden, and other maritime parts of the Old Woild, it is very rare on the Atlantic 

 coasts of America, or near Hudson's Bay ; only stray individuals passing to the eastward 

 of the Mississippi or of Lake Winnipeg. Mr. Say informs us that it winters on the 

 Missouri, and takes its departure northward on the 23rd of March. It does not entii'ely 

 quit the banks of the Saskatchewan even in winter, but is much more frequent in 

 summer. On comj^aring its eggs with those of the European bird, they are found to bo 

 larger and narrower ; and though the colours are the same, the blotches are larger and 

 more diffused. The manners of the American bird are precisely the same as those we 

 are accustomed to observe in the English one." Mr. Swainson adds, that he has been 

 able to compare English and Arctic specimens with one from the interior of China, 

 communicated to him by Dr. Gray, so eminent in zoology and botany, and that he 

 cannot perceive the slightest difference to indicate a variety, much less of a species. 



The common magpie is the type of Cuvier's subgenus of Pica, distinguished by the 

 convex upper mandible, and the long and cuneiform tail. This, in the magpie, has the 

 two middle feathers of the same length, but the side feathers decrease rapidly in succes- 

 sion ; about the neck the feathers are loose. It is one of the most beautiful species of 

 this country, but loses much of its lustre in a state of captivity. The magpie is very 

 common in England, and feeds both on animal and vegetable substances, frequently 

 killing young ducks and chickens. It is said also occasionally to pick out the eyes of 

 lambs, hares, &c., if weak ; it also eats insects, fruits, and even grain. 



No birds display moi'o industry in the construction of their nests ; they generally 

 select the summit of the highest trees, especially if standing alone or in a row ; but in 

 forests, or very retired situations, they sometimes choose a mere bush for the pm-pose. 

 The male and female begin this work together in February, placing the nest not, like the 

 rook, in full sight of all from the ground, but so enveloj)ed and surrounded with branches, 

 that when the leaves appear the nest is concealed. Thus — 



The tliicvish pie, in two-fuld coloui-s c'ad, 

 Koofs o'er hti- curious ucst with feru-wreath"d twigs, 

 And sidcdong forms her curious door : she dreads 

 The talon'd kite, or jjounciug- liawlc : savage 

 Herself— with craft suspicion ever dwells. 



