MAGPIE. 249 



different picture of the bird these accounts ex- 

 hibit, when compared with the watchful bird in 

 this country, which will not permit an approach 

 within at least sixty yards. Its food is similar to 

 that of the true Crows, carrion forming the 

 smallest portion of it ; like the Jackdaw, it is 

 much given to plunder the nests of other birds 

 which do not possess sufficient strength to combat 

 the aggressor. 



In geographical distribution the range is ex- 

 tensive. It is frequent in temperate countries 

 where the locality is suitable, and reaches con- 

 siderably to the north. It extends, we believe, 

 to Northern Asia. According to Temminck's- 

 Supplement, it is widely spread over the Morea, 

 while in Japan it is exactly the same with the 

 bird of Europe.* It seems also to be found in 

 the interior of China, though to what extent we 

 are ignorant.f In America the bird was described 

 by Wilson, but specimens brought home by the 

 Arctic expeditions were considered distinct, and 

 named C. Hudsonicus by Mr Sabine, in which 

 state the Prince of Musignano in his latest com- 

 parative view is still inclined to keep them. We 

 have compared a northern specimen, but do not 

 perceive differences sufficient to entitle separa- 

 tion, and by all OUF modern ornithologists, with 

 the exception above named, we are borne out in 

 this view. Dr Richardson states it as a resident 



, * Temm. Mon. Supp. p. 63. 

 t North. Zool. ii. p. 292, note. 



