OF THE BIRDS MENTIONED 331 
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Mag, the short for Margaret, in Magpie, is a pet name 
like Robin redbreast, and Jenny wren. Pre from the 
Lat. pica, a magpie ; rustica pertaining to the country 
(Lat. vus, ruris, the country). General description, 
size and plumage: A black and white bird with a long 
tail (the black all over the bird is lustrous blue and green). 
Tail: All black. About the size of a pigeon, but the long 
tail, which is more than half its entire length, makes 
the bird measure 18 inches. Found: Generally distri- 
buted, in woods, fond of one locality. Notes: A quick 
‘chat, chat, chat, chat, chat, chat.’ Chatters much at the 
sight ofastoat, foxorcat. Habits and nature : Cunning, 
wary, sagacious, excitable, inquisitive and pilfering (fond 
of stealing and hiding bright objects, as silver spoons 
and forks, etc.), vestless. Can be taught to imitate words 
in captivity, easily tamed. Flight: Low, slow and 
interrupted (from tree to tree or along hedges) with a 
sudden quick movement of wings at intervals. Wings : 
Short, showing much white on flight. Male and female : 
Muchalike. Pair for life. Food: Taken on the ground, 
where he hops and runs and elevates tail, and dashes 
about from side to side, almost anything edible (including 
carrion) insects, grubs, snails, worms, etc. Also pilfers 
other nests of their eggs, and will kill and eat other 
young birds (including game and chickens) also young 
hares and rabbits. (Small birds very excited at ap- 
proach of magpies.) Not migratory. Nest: In April, 
2 or 3 feet high and x foot or more broad. Open, 
