MAGPIE. 65 



bird, that keeps closely to the woods, and is thus equal to them all. 

 Its chief food consists for the greater part of the year of worms, 

 insects, slugs, mice, frogs, eggs, and young callow birds ; and when 

 in season, acorns, nuts, and beech mast, all of which it hides here 

 and there, as fancy dictates. In the autumn it attacks the orchards 

 and gardens, tempted by strawberries, cherries, plums, or peas, and 

 there is no safety until one or two of them are shot and hung up. 

 Silent in spring and summer, it is noisy enough at other seasons. 

 Chaucer calls it " The Scorning Jay." 



Thou janglest as a Jay. 



Chaucer— iJ/an of Lawes Talc. 



But Cowper, with his kind and gentle nature, says — 



The Jay, the Pie, and e'en the boding Owl, 

 That hails the rising moon, have charms for me. 



No longer scolds the saucy Jay. 



HuRDis— FiZ^a^'e Curate. 



From Bruno's forest screams the affrighted Jay. 



Words WORTH— Sketches . 



The prating Jay. 



QUARLES. 



Thou hast a crested poll, and scutcheoned wing, 

 Fit for a herald of the eagle king ; 

 But such a voice, I would that thou could'st sing. 

 " My bill has rougher work — to scream with fright, 

 And then when screaming will not do, to fight." 



Montgomery— £trti5. 



Genus— PICA. 

 PICA RUSTICA— Magpie. 



Augurs, and understood relations, have 



By magot-pies, and choughs, and rooks brought forth 



The secret'st man of blood. 



Shakespeare- ilfac6c<A ///. 4- 



