PICA. MAGPIE. 561 



stances induce a great difference in the habits of the birds sub- 

 jected to them. The Magpies reside in trees and copses, 

 search for food in the vicinity of places to which they can re- 

 treat in case of danger, rarely betake themselves to open pas- 

 tures and moors, fly in a steady manner but with little speed, 

 move on the ground by walking and leaping, and make their 

 way among the branches with great agility. Instead of the 

 croak or caw of the Crows, they have generally a chattering 

 kind of cry. They are as omnivorous as the birds of the pre- 

 ceding genus, equally vigilant and cunning, and not less mis- 

 chievous, although, being smaller, they are not so injurious to 

 man. 



Only one sj^ecies occurs in this country, Pica melanoleuca, 

 which is common to Europe and North America, the specimens 

 from the latter country which I have seen differing in no essen- 

 tial characters from ours. 



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