MAGPIE 



COMMON MAGPIE PIANET MADGE. 



PLATE XLVIII. 

 Pica caudata, . . . FLEMING. SELBY. GOULD. 



XTIDIFICATION begins early in the spring. 

 1 I The nest, which is resorted to from year to year, is 

 usually placed in the top of a tall tree, whether elm, oak, 

 ash, beech, or willow, or hedge, occasionally in a lower one, 

 if suitably protected. It is rather of an oblong shape, built 

 of strong sticks and thorns, cemented together with mud, 

 and lined with roots and grass ; an aperture just sufficient 

 to admit the bird is left on one side ; the top is covered 

 over. 



I am informed by Mr. W. F. W. Bird that the Magpie 

 builds in Kensington Gardens. Bishop Stanley has the 

 following observations on this part of its history : " Certain 

 birds of similar habits will naturally, under peculiar circum- 

 stances, act very differently ; we have an instance of this in 

 the singular departure of the Magpie from its usual custom 

 of building its nest. Everybody knows that where trees 

 abound that which is loftiest, or most difficult of access, is 

 chosen ; but in parts where there are no trees, instead of 

 retiring to high rocks, and choosing places not easily ap- 

 proached, they will take possession of bushes close to the 



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