NUTCRACKER 



597 



parts of north Hertfordshire, where these birds are quite unknown in 

 some parishes, and yet abundant a few miles away on each side. It 

 is absent from some parts of Scotland, as it is also from the neighbour- 

 ing islands. To Ireland the magpie appears to have been introduced 

 about the year 1676, since which date it has gradually spread all over 

 the country, with the ex- 

 ception of theopen moors, 

 which are, of course, un- 

 suited to its habits. 



Magpies are usually 

 seen singly or in pairs, 

 occasionally in threes ; 

 but in some districts 

 they repair to the plan- 

 tations and shrubberies 

 which form their favour- 

 ite haunts in consider- 

 able numbers at roost- 

 ing-time. In the matter 

 of food these birds magpie. 



closely resemble jays ; 



and, like the latter, they are accordingly hated and persecuted by 

 farmers and gamekeepers. From this constant persecution the bird has 

 probably developed those shy and skulking habits which form some 

 of its most distinctive traits in England. Taught, perhaps, by its own 

 thievish habits, the magpie constructs an almost burglar-proof nest, 

 built of twigs, on a foundation of mud, and generally furnished with a 

 domed roof, well protected by thorny branches. Inside it is neatly 

 carpeted with fine roots. The eggs are rather more numerous than 

 in the crow-tribe generally, the number in a clutch ranging from four 

 to seven. On a pale green or greenish blue ground they are in most 

 cases profusely mottled and spotted with brown and olive -brown, 

 underlain by grey cloudings and spots. 



RD STUDIOS 



Nuteraeker 



Although more nearly related to the crows and rooks 



(Nueifrae-a ^^^" ^^^ ^^^ ^^^° last-named species, the nutcracker 



caryoeataetes). '^ Placed after the latter on account of being only 



a comparatively scarce and irregular visitor to the 



British Isles. It is, in fact, a kind of spotted crow, specially 



distinguished, however, by the great relative shortness of the first 



primary quill of the wings. The close body -plumage is profusely 



