3 8 Bird-keep ing. 



Such numberless anecdotes of the cunning tricks of 

 this bird have been recorded, that it is scarcely worth 

 while to add to them : they seem to show an innate 

 delight in it of doing mischief for the sake of mischief, 

 as well as for the gratification of a natural desire to hide 

 anything it can carry off. A Magpie kept in a school 

 would always take the opportunity of carrying mud 

 into the kitchen as soon as the maid had cleaned it, 

 and evidently enjoyed her rage on discovering his 

 handiwork. This bird appears to have been a pet also 

 in ancient times. One, in the possession of a barber in 

 Rome, renowned for its imitative powers, is mentioned 

 by Plutarch, and in the present day it is a favourite in 

 France, Germany, Sweden and Norway, in Spain, Italy, 

 in the country between the Black and Caspian Seas, 

 and in Northern India and Japan. In France, where 

 most small birds are ruthlessly destroyed, the Magpie 

 appears to be protected, and in Sweden and Norway 

 it is a great favourite, and very familiar with the in- 

 habitants, who would not kill a Magpie on any account, 

 but whether from attachment, or from an idea that ill 

 luck would befall the destroyer, is not ascertained. 

 The Norwegians cut holes in their buildings and nail 

 up pieces of wood against them for their nests, and 

 give them a sheaf of corn at Christmas. 



The JAY (Garmhis glandarius). The European 

 Jay is found in all the temperate parts of Europe, and 

 is well known in most wooded districts of England. 



