85 



GENUS GAERULUS. 



JAY. 



Gareulus glandarius (Linnaeus). 



Local Name — Jaypiet. 



Eesident, but every year decreasing in numbers ; its 

 propensity for emptying Pheasants' eggs causing it to be 

 mercilessly destroyed by the game-keeping fraternity. 

 It is very shy and ^Yary, and seldom falls to the gun ; 

 poison being the chief element in its extermination. It 

 frequents large woods, especially those at high level, 

 choosing the most secluded portions, and in such 

 situations is found throughout the whole of the county 

 from north to south. It lays five to seven eggs the end 

 of April or beginning of May. 



GENUS PICA. 



MAGPIE. 



Pica rustica (Scopoli). 



Local Names — Maggie, Piet, Pienot, Pianot, Pk-Annet. 



Eesident, and breeding in all districts ; its abundance 

 anywhere being in exact inverse proportion to the vigour 

 with which it is pursued by the game-keepers. There 

 is no doubt of its sins as an egg-stealer, but the Book is 

 quite as dangerous in this respect, and the enmity which 

 the Magpie excites amongst sportsmen is perhaps a 

 little unreasoning. The farmer, too, often complains of 

 its raids on the eggs of his stray-laying hens ; but in 

 Norway, where its presence is so encouraged and where 



