138 MAGPIE. 



Jay. For the general beauty of plumage there are 

 few of our native birds which can vie with the Jay. 

 It is found in nearly all parts of Europe ; and even in 

 Siberia, as far as the Uralian Mountains. In England 

 it is so common as sometimes to prove very injurious in 

 our gardens, by destroying the peas and fruit. Its voice 

 is loud, harsh, and disagreeable. These birds construct 

 their nest in low bushes, almost wholly of the fine fibres 

 of roots ; and the number of eggs in each nest is from 

 four to six, of a dullish white olive colour, obscurely 

 mottled with pale brown. If taken young, they are 

 capable of being rendered very docile ; and, like the 

 jackdaw and raven, may be taught to speak. Their 

 natural voice is a harsh and grating scream. 



The back and breast of the Jay are of a delicate cinna- 

 mon-colour ; and the wing-coverts are blue, marked with 

 transverse lines of black and white. The bill is black, 

 and the chin white. On the top of the head there is a 

 tuft of long/white feathers, streaked with black. The 

 tail has twelve black feathers. The rump is white. 



Magpie. This chattering, pert, and impudent bird, is 

 found throughout all the temperate and warm parts of 

 Europe, in North America, Northern Asia, and even in 

 Japan. It is so crafty, restless, and shy, that it does 

 not readily allow of an approach within gun-shot, espe- 

 cially if it has any suspicion of a foe. It builds its nest 

 in trees. This is formed of sticks on the exterior, and 

 lined at the bottom, within, with grass, wool, and other 

 soft materials. In its structure it is very curious, having 

 a kind of canopy, and a hole for entrance on one side. 

 The Magpie feeds on almost every kind of substance, 

 both animal and vegetable. It will even devour chickens, 

 and pick out the eyes of lambs, if they happen to be weak 



