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C O R V U S. 



and chiefly towers in cliffs, is not absolutely confined to 

 such places, even in its nest-building. It is also very 

 generally distributed over Europe, stationary in some 

 countries, but migrant in others, without any uniform 

 regard to difference of latitude. On the extreme 

 north of Europe it is indeed only a summer visitant, 

 there being no food for it in the winter. In Sweden 

 it is found pretty far to the north. It winters about 

 Upsal, and passes the night in large flocks in ruined 

 towers, especially those of the old town. It is common 

 all over Russia and Western Siberia. In the south 

 of Russia, and in Great Britain, it is stationary 

 throughout the year ; but in France, some parts of 

 Germany, and other places, it is at least partially 

 migratory, though a number of them continue in 

 these countries during summer. Such of them as 

 migrate form themselves into large bodies, like the 

 rooks and hooded crows, whose phalanxes they 

 sometimes join, continually chattering as they fly. 

 Yet they observe not the same periods in France 

 and in Germany, for they leave the latter in autumn, 

 and appear not again till the spring, after having 

 wintered in France. In general they frequent old 

 towers, ruined buildings, and high cliffs, but they also 

 occasionally breed in the holes, and even on the 

 branches of trees, especially if in the neighbourhood of 

 a rookery. In some parts of Hampshire, owing, 

 probably, to the want of towers and steeple?, they 

 frequently build in the burrows of a rabbit-warren ; 

 and in the Isle of Ely, from a similar cause, they 

 take up their abode in chimneys. Their nest is 

 made of sticks, and lined with wool and other soft 

 materials, and the eggs are generally five or six, 

 smaller and paler than those of the crows, of a bluish 

 or greenish ground, spotted with black or brown. 

 After the young are hatched, the female watches, 

 feeds, and rears them with an affection which the 

 male seems eager to share. Some authors affirm that 

 they have two broods in the year, but this, we have 

 reason to believe, is by no means uniformly the case. 

 During the season of courtship they prattle inces- 

 santly, woo each other's society, and even kiss. 

 Even in captivity they refrain not from these marks 

 of tender attachment. Many pairs usually nestle in 

 the same neighbourhood. They feed principally 

 upon worms and the larvae of insects, and are very 

 fond of cherries. Their voice is shriller than that of 

 the rook or crow, and appears to be capable of 

 different inflexions. They are easily tamed, and 

 seem so fond of domestication as seldom to attempt 

 their escape. They may be fed on insects, fruit, 

 grain, and even small pieces of meat. With no great 

 difficulty they may be taught to articulate several 

 words ; but they are mischievous and tricky, and 

 will secrete not only portions of their food, but pieces 

 of money and jewels. 



Corvus pica, or Pica melanoleuca (the Magpie). 

 This is a species with lively colours, the peculiar 

 attitudes, the prying disposition, and the familiar 

 manners of which every body is acquainted with. Its 

 length is about eighteen inches, but great part is 

 taken up by the tail, and the body is rather short and 

 round ; the extent of the wings is about two feet, and 

 they are broad and rounded, and better adapted for 

 ascending and descending than for long flights, upon 

 which the bird flies with rapid movements of the 

 wings, and apparently with difficulty. The weight is 

 about nine ounces ; the bill and legs are black ; and 

 the irides deep and bright brown, which gives very 



considerable expression to the eye. This is altogether 

 one of the most beautiful of British birds, and if it 

 were not so common it would be very much admired 

 Its colours are black, with purple and green rciitr 

 tions ; the scapulars, breast, belly, and inside of the 

 wing-feathers, white ; tail lengthened and wedge- 

 shaped ; the black, especially on the feathers of the 

 wings and tail, exhibits, in certain dispositions of the 

 light, very fine reflections of green, blue, purple, and 

 violet, a circumstance of which superficial observers 

 are little aware ; nor can he who has only examined 

 a dirty specimen, in confinement, form any adequate 

 notion of the native beauties of the bird. It is about 

 eighteen inches long, twenty-four in extent of wing, 

 and weighs between eight and nine ounces. The 

 female differs from the other sex only in being 

 somewhat less, and having a shorter tail. Among 

 the more remarkable varieties to which it is occa- 

 sionally liable, we may notice that of whiteness 

 almost pure, cream or buff colour, and white streaked 

 with black. 



The magpie is generally diffused in England, 

 France, Germany, Sweden, and most of the countries 

 of Europe ; and it also occurs in Asia as far as Japan, 

 in China, as well as in Siberia, Kamschatka, and the 

 adjacent islands, whence it has possibly passed into 

 the northern parts of America, for it is seen, though 

 rarely, in Hudson's Bay, and on the borders of the 

 Mississippi. In Europe it is found as far north as 

 Wardlines, and as far south as Italy ; but it sel- 

 dom abounds in hilly regions. Being smaller than 

 the rook, and with wings proportionally shorter, 

 its flight is neither so lofty nor so well supported ; 

 neither does it undertake long journeys, but only flies 

 from tree to tree, at moderate distances ; yet it is 

 seldom at rest for any length of time, but skips and 

 hops about, and shakes its long tail almost incessantly. 

 Though naturally shy and distrustful, yet it is seldom 

 found remote from human habitations. Magpies 

 generally continue in pairs throughout the year ; 

 and if they sometimes unite into small flocks, it is 

 only for some temporary purpose. They are clamour- 

 ous and mischievous, reject hardly any species of 

 animal food or fruits, and devour grain when nothing 

 else is within their reach. They will prey on birds 

 caught in snares, on nestlings, rats, field-mice, young 

 poultry, leverets, feathered game, carrion, fish, and 

 insects. Lambs, and even weakly sheep, they attempt 

 to destroy, by first plucking out their eyes. They are 

 notorious pilferers and hoarders, and will conceal 

 either provisions, or any glittering objects, with great 

 address, pushing them into holes until they are no 

 longer visible. Their winter store of food is usually 

 collected in the middle of a field, and is sometimes 

 indicated by two of the species contending for the 

 hoard. Though crafty, they arc also familiar ; and 

 though naturally addicted to chatter, they are still 

 more so when tamed and attached ; so that, especially 

 when taken young, they may be taught to pronounce 

 words, and even short sentences, and will imitate any 

 singular noise. In their natural state they proclaim 

 aloud any apparent danger, insomuch that no fox, or 

 wild animal, can appear without being noticed and 

 haunted ; and thus even the fowler is frequently de- 

 prived of his sport, for all birds seem to know the mag- 

 pie's alarming chatter. The nest, which is placed on 

 the top of a tree, in a thick bnsh or hedge, and some- 

 times at no great distance from the ground, bespeaks 

 much skill and artifice. The male and female work at it 



