these birds. It was, of course, in early days (1835), when the Puritan stomach 

 was less influenced by sentimental consideration. Or it was, perhaps, before a 

 higher use had been found for them, namely, to decorate ladies' bonnets. 



Although such a timid recluse, with little of the savoir faire of the world, 

 the Pine Grosbeak is a born poet and dispenses sweetest music to his neighbors 

 in the Laurentian wilds. The song is described as "clear, sweet and flowing, 

 like that of the Purple Finch," but stronger, of course, as becomes the larger size. 



The food habits of this species are as yet imperfectly known. They are 

 known at least to eat small fruit of all sorts with avidity, and specimens obtained 

 in the far northwest were found to have fared exclusively upon poplar buds. 

 When with us mountain ash trees are sure to be visited, and cedar berries, when 

 obtainable, are very welcome. 



It is noteworthy also that the southward moving flocks .of winter are com- 

 posed almost exclusively of young males and sombre-colored females, while the 

 older males remain for the most part in their northern homes. 



The Magpie {Pica pica hudsonia) 



Length, from about 18 to 21 inches. The black head and body and the 

 white belly, white wing patches, and long tail are distinguishing features. The 

 yellow-billed magpie is smaller with a yellow bill. 



Range : A characteristic western species. Breeds from Aleutian Islands 

 and Alaska, central Alberta, southern Saskatchewan and Winnipeg Lake south 

 to northern Arizona and New Mexico, and from the Cascades and Sierra to 

 western North Dakota and western Texas ; resident. 



There are two species of magpies, the yellow-billed being confined to Cali- 

 fornia, wdiere it is very local. In general the habits of the two are similar. 

 "Maggie," as this bird is familiarly known in the west, possesses dual traits. 

 He is beautiful of plumage and adds much to the interest of the landscape as 

 he flies from field to field, his long tail extending behind like a rudder. 



Of eminently sociable disposition, this bird is rarely seen alone. He prefers 

 flocks of family size to 50 and upwards. In more ways than one the magpie is 

 like the crow and his sagacity has developed along much the same lines. In 

 most localities he is suspicious and wary, as he has good cause to be, for he is 

 not a favorite with either farmer or ranchman. He is eminently carnivorous, 

 a carrion feeder by preference, an insect eater by necessity, and he performs 

 good service in the latter role. He eats also many wild fruits and berries, but 

 he is an incorrigible thief and well he knows 'his way to the poultry yard. No 

 sound is sweeter in "Maggie's" ears than the cackle of the exultant hen that 

 has just laid an tgg^, and the hen house must be well protected that keeps him 

 from his plunder. Perhaps his worst trait, however, is his fondness for the eggs 

 and nestlings of small birds. 



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