48 SUPERB MAGPIE. 



ing the cawing notes, or barking aloud, to the as- 

 tonishment of the auditors, who regard the bird as 

 being in a very great rage at something or other 

 beyond their conception. Having concluded, 

 he jumps down to the lower perch in search of 

 donations of living grasshoppers, seemingly in 

 the most happy and good-humoured manner. 



The bird is not at all ravenous in its habits of 

 feeding ; but it eats rice leisurely, almost grain by 

 grain. Should any of the insects thrown into 

 his cage fall on the floor, he will not descend 

 to them, appearing to be fearful that in so doing- 

 he should soil his delicate plumage ; he therefore 

 seldom or ever descends, except to perform his 

 ablutions in the pan of water placed at the bottom 

 of the cage expressly for his use. 



Near the '■^ Paradise Bird,'' in another large 

 cage, is the Superb Magpie, having all the 

 thievish propensities, with the usual saucy manner 

 of the tribe ; its plumage is beautiful, the principal 

 colour being in splendid purple markings ; the 

 bill is of an orange colour ; like dogs and chil- 

 dren, it seems fond of being noticed ; it welcomes 

 visitors by spreading its long and elegant tail, as 

 well as by raising and showing off" its pretty 

 plumage to the best advantage, looking out 

 sharply for insects, and, at the same time, ut- 

 tering a peculiar noise which somewhat resem- 



