CORVUS. BIRDS. 201 



C. Jamaicensis, Lath. Chattering Crow. Of a uniform deep black. 

 Inhabits Jamaica. Lath. Ind. 154. 



This scarcely differs in appearance from the European carrion crow, but utters a 

 peculiar chattering note. 



C. Dauricus, Lath. White-breasted Crow. Plumage black; neck and 

 breast white. 12 inches long. Africa and Asia Lath. Ind. 154. 



2 Pies. 



C. pica, Lin. (Pica Europcea, Cuv.) The Magpie. Head, throat, 

 neck, top of the breast and back black, with purple and green re- 

 flections ; the scapulars, breast, belly, and inside of the wing- 

 feathers white ; tail lengthened and cuneated ; bill, iris, and feet 

 black. 18incheslong. Inhabits Europe Selby } Illust. pi. 31. fig. 2. 

 The Magpie is generally diffused in most of the countries of Europe, and it also 

 occurs in Asia. 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 

 journies, 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 at times unite in flocks, when they are very clamorous. They reject hardly 

 any species of animal food or fruits, and devour grain when nothing else is within 

 their reach. They prey on birds, rats, field-mice, young poultry, leverets, feathered 

 game, carrion, fish, insects, &c. They are notorious pilferers and hoarders, and 

 conceal provisions or any glittering objects with great address. In their wild 

 state they proclaim aloud any apparent danger, by their chattering note, and thus 

 the fowler is frequently deprived of his sport. In almost every country the appearance 

 of the magpie is, in the minds of the vulgar, associated with superstitious prejudices. 



C. Setiegalensis, Lin. Plumage violet black ; tail cuneated ; wing 

 and tail-feathers subferruginous. Fourteen inches long. In- 

 habits Africa. Lath. Ind. 163. 



C. rufiventris, (Pica rufiventris, Vieill.) Crown and nape of the 

 neck grayish blue ; throat and primaries black ; breast, abdomen, 

 back, and rump rufous ; tail cuneiform. Size of the Magpie. In- 

 liabits Eastern Asia. Shaw, xiii, 64. 



C. Caledonicus, Lath. Plumage ash-coloured, except the tail, which 

 is black ; bill and legs black. Fifteen inches long. Inhabits 

 New Caledonia. Lath. Ind. 154. 



C. erythrorhyncos, Lin. Plumage brown violet, with very long tail ; 

 forehead, throat, and breast black ; occiput and tips of wings and 

 tail white. Inhabits China. Lath. Ind. 163. 



3. Jays. 



C.glandariuSt'Lm. (Garrulus glandarius, Cuv.) The Jay. Body of 

 a reddish ash-colour; head white, with black streaks; wing-coverts 

 with blue and black bars; bill and tail black ; iris blue ; legs dark 



brown. 13 inches long. Inhabits Europe Selby, Illust. pi. 32. 



This bird is the most elegant of the tribe indigenous to Great Britain. Jays 

 are great depredators of fruit and grain, and also frequently plunder the nests of 

 smaller birds of their eggs and young. When full grown the jay is extremely 

 shy ; but if taken from the nest, it evinces great docility. Its common notes be- 

 speak a wonderful flexibility of throat ; for it naturally imitates the sounds with 

 which it happens to be most familiar, as the bleating of a lamb, the mewing of a 



