MAGPIE. 



PICA CAUDATA. 



Family Passerid^, Sub-family CoRViN.^. Genus Pica. 



Mag — Madge — Pianet — Pyet. 



The Magpie is resident in most wooded districts of 

 England, Scotland and Ireland. It is gradually be- 

 coming far less common than formerly on account of 

 its persecution at the hands of gamekeepers, for it 

 destroys many young pheasants and chicks in the 

 spring. When seen in its wild state with its plumage 

 undamaged, it is one of the handsomest birds we have. 

 Its head, throat, breast and back are black, the lower 

 part of the breast is white, the wings are black, richly 

 glossed with green and with a patch of pure white. 

 The long tail is a beautiful metallic green and purple. 

 It makes a capital pet; and by "pet" I do not 



