32 



The jay builds in woods, and forms its nest of 

 twigs and fibres. 



The female lays 5 or 6 light brown eggs. 



The young continue with their parents until the 

 following spring. 



Their food is fruit and grain ; in autumn acorns. 



7. PICA. MAGPIE, OR PIANET. 



C. Niger purpureo viridique nitens, scapularibus pec- 

 tore dbdomine remigibusque intus albis, cauda 

 elongata cuneata. Shaw. 



The bill is black ; irides dark ; the breast, upper 

 part of the belly, and scapulars are white, the rest 

 black; the wings and tail are beautifully glossed with 

 green, blue, and purple; the tail is very long, wedge 

 shaped ; the legs are black. 



Var. white and cream colour. 



Weight 8 or 9oz. length 1 8 inches. 



The magpie forms an oval nest, with the entrance 

 on one side. 



The female lays 6 or 7 pale green eggs, spotted 

 with brown. 



