196 BRITISH BIRDS. 



which it was not able to kill, one of the young ones 

 came out of the nest to aid its mother in her struggle 

 with the rat on the outside of the bush : but they were 

 not able to accomplish their object till the father, ar- 

 riving with a dead mouse, also lent his aid. 



These magpies had been faithful to one another for 

 several summers, and drove off their young, as well as 

 every one else that attempted to take possession of the 

 nest. This was carefully repaired and fortified in the 

 spring, with strong, rough, prickly sticks, that they 

 sometimes brought to it by uniting their force, one at 

 the end of each stick, pulling it along, when they were 

 not able to lift it from the ground. 



Magpies, like all other birds in a wild state, become 

 vociferous when night approaches. At this time they 

 may be observed, in small detached parties, retiring to 

 their places of roost. They prefer a wood of spruce, 

 pine, or larch ; and should it be entered by any one, 

 their noise is incessant. Mr. Waterton describes his 

 capture, through their means, of one of the most des- 

 perate marauders that ever scourged the county of York. 

 He had long been an annoyance, and was so exceed- 

 ingly cunning, that he always contrived to escape pur- 

 suit, either by squatting down in the thick cover of the 

 woods, or by a hasty retreat when he found himself 



