1889-90.] The Magpie. 389 



with unerring accuracy finds, disinters, and regales himself on 

 his hidden treasure. He devours a large number of wasps ; 

 and one day a swarm of bees settled in the woody ard, which 

 afforded a fine day's enjoyment for " Jacky." Not contented 

 with feeding on the bees, he seemed to take special delight 

 in killing them, and every one he discovered crawling about 

 was speedily destroyed. It is somewhat surprising how he 

 manages to swallow wasps and bees without being stung. 

 Young sparrows and other birds which happen to come into 

 the yard meet with a similar fate, and are quickly torn to 

 pieces. Mice seem to afford him great amusement, as he 

 watches and pounces on them with greater dexterity than a 

 cat. When he secures a mouse he begins at the tail and 

 turns the skin up towards the head, completely removing it 

 prior to devouring the carcass. This is at variance with 

 their normal habit when wild, as on dissecting them I have 

 found that mice had been swallowed whole. " Jacky " does 

 not seem to relish a rat, as he only picks out the eyes and 

 brains, and leaves the flesh untouched. 



A large retriever dog is kept as a watch in the woodyard, 

 and it is most amusing to see the adroitness with which 

 " Jacky " can take a bone from him. Wlien the dog is eating 

 anything which " Jacky " covets, he flies noiselessly behind 

 him and nips his tail. The dog generally replies by a growl, 

 but after waiting a second or two he gives it another nip, 

 which must be painful, as the dog jumps round, and, with 

 open mouth, seems bent on the destruction of " Jacky." This 

 is what the wary bird has been watching for, and quick as 

 lightning he flies over the dog, seizes the bone, and carries it 

 off in triumph. 



Like the wild Indian warrior, " Jacky " takes great delight 

 in bedaubing himself with paint — white, red, or green, as it 

 may happen to be about, when a greenhouse, a fence, or cart- 

 wheels are being painted. Mistaking a pot of melted glue for 

 paint, he one day bedaubed himself with it, which resulted in 

 his feathers all sticking together, and the only remedy was 

 the aid of a pair of scissors. 



When plants — either flowers or vegetables — are being 

 bedded out, unless "Jacky" is first secured, it is labour in vain, 

 as he pulls them up as fast as any gardener can plant them. 



