BRITISH BIRDS. 57 



it into the soil an'l rooting about for grabs and worms, it 

 is a good plan to put some of the latter under a sod of 

 grass in his cage, which he will at once commence to bare 

 in search of them, and thus keep his beak in good order. 



He may be taught to go and come, and although he may 

 disappear during the summer he will be sure, if alive, to 

 return when winter has sealed Nature's fountains with its 

 icy hand. 



Too much flesh meat is not good for these birds, but 

 they are fond of picking a bone, and may have one. 

 Neither can they live on a diet of farinaceous matters 

 alone, but require a free supply of insects if thej^ are to 

 remain in health. 



THE CROWS. 



The Crow family is a very numerous one, and has no 

 less than eight representatives in Britain. 



Family — Corvidce. 



Genus — 1. Corvus. C. corax. Raven. 



C. corom. Carrion Crow. 

 C. comix. Hooded Crow. 

 C.frugilegiis. Rook. 

 C. monediila. Jackdaw. 

 2. Pica. P. riistica. Magpie, 



o. Gamiliis. G. glajidarius. Jay. 



4. Pyrrhocorax. P. gracidus. Chough. 



Raven. — The colour of this bird is jet black, with steel 

 blue, violet, and purple reflections, also a green tinge on the 

 under parts ; the throat is more of a dingy black. The 

 female presents but little difference, but she is slightly 



