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 CHAPTER LIX. 



THE PIPING CROW. 



THIS large and handsome bird, which is a member of the 

 Crow family, is a native of Australia, where it is one of the 

 most common birds in the vicinity of farms and stations. 



It is rather larger than an English Jackdaw, and black and 

 white like one of our Magpies, but without the long tail of the 

 latter birds: its beak is greyish blue; the strong legs and feet 

 are grey. 



There is not much difference between the sexes in outward 

 appearance, but the female has, perhaps, less white about her 

 than her mate. 



When wild the Piping Crow, or Native Magpie, as it is 

 termed by the colonists, feeds on insects and small reptiles; 

 and, it is said, upon young birds. In the house, it will devour 

 anything that comes to table, but prefers meat, and is especially 

 fond of picking a bone. 



The natural note of the Piping Crow is very sonorous and 

 musical, bearing no small resemblance to that of the English 

 Thrush, only many times louder. 



These birds are great favourites with the settlers, who protect 

 the wild birds, and generally have a tame one hopping about 

 the place among the poultry. They soon learn to speak many 

 words, and even long sentences: one that belonged to a friend 

 of mine was in the habit every morning at day-break of calling 

 the servant, "Bella, Bella, get up, and get Micky's breakfast." 

 'Micky' being himself, nor would he desist until she came in 

 and gave him his matutinal bone. 



The same bird was a capital hand at whistling "There's nae 

 guid luck aboot the house," which in that particular case was 

 singularly appropriate ; he had his liberty all day, but invariably 



