412 



CANARIES, HYBRIDS, AND BRITISH BIRDS 



often in l:ill. iout>li, iu'j;k'cU'd licdf^cs. Tin- 

 Magpie is so well known as lo make dc s(ri|)lion 

 superfluous, thoujili perhaps many casual 

 observers have liltle idea that the liiaek in its 

 |)lumage (which conlrasls so markedly with the 

 large patches on the wings and body of \ery 

 pure while) is shaded, especially upon I he lower 

 part of the hack and the (ail. willi \aried rays 

 of glistening sheen. Its very long black tail, 

 shading to green and i)urple, adds lo its beauty ; 

 the sexes are alike in this respect. Us thieving 

 propensities in captivity have occasioned many 

 a tale, and one naturally associates Ihe bird 

 with silver spoons and Ihe " Maid and the Mag- 

 pie." These pilfering habits have otien relc- 

 galed the Magpie to a cage, though when reared 

 from the nest it is exceedingly tame, and, ajiart 

 from its innnoral notions of properly, becomes 

 a very nice pel ; it is easily taught to talk, anti 

 but for the mess il makes can be allowed lo 

 range the house, when it invariably contracts 

 either great friendshij) or antipathy for Ihe dog, 

 cat, or any olher rival. 



When wild the Magpie is the terror of all 

 small birils, i)reying ujxin Iheir young, and they 

 often band logelher in order to drive oil Ihe 

 intruder. Its appetite is not at all dainty, 

 carrion, insects, fruit, and grain all serve to 

 meet its retpiirements. Young Magpies are 

 just as easily hand-reared as the .lay. and on the 

 same food. The cage should be similar lo that 

 recommended for the (".hough, and if 5 feet \iinu. 

 and 3 feet deep so much the better, as this will 

 help to preserve the bird's long tail. The .Mag- 

 pie should be fed like Ihe .lay. and exhibited in 

 a sinnlar show-cage. Hright colours, Ihe ])alches 

 of white well defined, good shape, perfect ]ilum- 

 age. and steadiness are essentials for success at 

 exhibilioTis. 



The .lackdaw. Corpus mmudiihi {I. inn.), is an 

 abundant species, resident and pretty gi'uerally 

 (list ribuled, though il fa\duis 

 eertaiu localities, and li\is as 

 freely in Ihe nndsl of a populous eit\ as anainjist 

 wild woodland and rocks. It is also migratory, 

 large munbers reaching us every autuinu from 

 Northern I^irope. The .lackdaw is a wise- 

 looking bird, and from its droll antics is a 

 special favouiile with boys. Yoimg .lackdaws 

 can be easily icared on the same toiiit as Ihe 

 Magpie, and we lia\c excii reared tlieiu (ju 

 barley meal alone, made crumb!\ moist witli 

 cold water : they matured well, and turned out 

 fine, healthy, strong birds. They may be taujihl 

 to speak a little. Its ((unical cry id' " .lacU. " 

 accompanied by its mock-serious look, will 

 always make the .lackdaw a cheery e(nn|)aru<iii : 

 Ihough. like the Raven, it is. nnfortmndely, viry 

 fond of stealing (which circumslaiu'c has given 

 us Ihe laughable legend of the ".lackdaw (d' 



The JacKdaw. 



Hheluis "), and all blight articles sliould there- 

 liii'e be placed be\iiiul its i-eaeti. It will become 

 \('r\' atVeet iouate, and may be allowed its free- 

 dom, so tar as the clipping ot a tew wing-feathers 

 will permit, ami will then scnuetimes form 

 Iriemlshii) with a dog or cal. 



'I'here is a ])eeuliarly reverend ajipearance 

 about the .lackdaw, with its general black 

 plumage. sa\c for the glos.sy blue-black 

 cap on its head, shining grey collar, and 

 Ihe |iurple sheen of its wings and tail. The 

 sexes are alike. The Jackdaw nests in chinch 

 towers, old ruins, holes in trees and in 

 elilfs, and sdinelinus even in a deserted 

 raliliit warren. It does well on tile same 

 diet as the (ihough, and may be kept and 

 exhibited in the same cages as that bird, and 

 allowed free use (d' a bath. Though usually 

 uKire of a pel than an exhibition l)ird, some \cry 

 tine specimens ha\e been shown. High con- 

 diliou. with glossy sheen to the teatlier. perfect 

 pliuuage, and steadiness are essentials in ex- 

 hibition specimens. 



b'AMiLY Al.muid.-e. — True Larks are easily 

 distinguished from any of the ])rcceding birds 

 by I lu'ir less conical bill and jiecidiar form of feet. 

 1!\ far the greater nuudiei' live almost enlirely 

 on ttu' };i'ciund. run switlly. bask in the sun ami 

 amongst the dust. Theii- Might is powerful and 

 capable of being long sustained. Three of this 

 lanul>' concern us here. 



The Skylark, AUiuda (iri'cnsis {Linn.), is a 

 well-known resident thi'outihout (Ireal llritain, 

 thougli it migrates from the 



The SkylarK. 



nH)re m)rtheru [larts duriuf. 



the winter. It is also common in lun-o|)e. 

 whcTice a large migration takes place into 

 I-jit;laiid diuiii^ tlie autunm. 'I'lie SU\lark is 

 cTililled to a prouuiient position amoiii; our 

 songsters, wlielhei' soaring \)\'J,\\ amid the clouds 

 or as the pel of some raniitv ci'amped in betwi'cu 

 the walls (d naiinw siicils. euli\cning a whoh' 

 iieij^hliourhood b\ Ihe clear anil lixcly tones of 

 its ins|)iring song. Iacu in a cage the I. ark 

 seems eonstraiiu'd lo eomliine some nmseular 

 exercise with siuL^ing. tor it Ihen llulters its 

 wings and tiamples its lillli' paleh of turt. II 

 rivals the Nighlingalc in its attraction for poets, 

 ami yet, as with most of our swcelesl songsters, 

 its plumage is most unpictendini;. 



The bill is dark blown aboxc. pale \cll(iw- 

 brciwn at the base; Ihe leallu'is on llie top id 

 the liead are dark brown, edgiil with paler 

 brown, and rather long so as lo loini a crest, 

 which the turd can elc\ale at pleasure; Ihe 

 che(ks are pale brown. The whole of the 

 upper |)art is \aried willi lliree sluides <if 

 brown, and as Ihe eenlie ot excry tealher 

 is dark. Ilie bird has a spanj^led or spidted 

 appearance; these spots become ver\ minute 



