44 THS ROLLER. 



reared from the nest it learns to speak even better than the raven, and 

 becomes as domestic as the pigeon. It gets so fond of raw meat, bread, 

 and other refuse of the table, that it does not wish any other food ; this 

 is the cause of its frequenting dwelling-houses : if it find any worms or 

 insects it only eats them as dainties. 



The time of taking magpies in order to bring them to this point is 

 fourteen or fifteen days after coming out of the shell : this is the principal 

 thing to remember with respect to any bird which is to be taught to go 

 and come. It must be given at first bread soaked in milk or water ; by 

 degrees a little chopped meat is added, afterwards it will eat anything from 

 the kitchen, even apples and baked pears, and any refuse. As soon as the 

 young birds begin to fly high enough to rise to a neighbouring tree they 

 may be let do so when they have had a good meal, soon calling them back 

 again to the place fixed for their habitation ; this practice may be repeated 

 till they have ail their feathers, and can fly well, when some of their 

 wing-feathers must be cut, till the winter, a season in which they may be 

 pulled out. Whilst the feathers are growing again, they become so well 

 accustomed to the house and their master that they may be let go for 

 several hours together without any danger of their wandering or not 

 returning. If they speak they will only be the more agreeable. 



Old magpies, which may easily be taken in winter wth lime-twigs 

 placed near some bits of meat, can be taught to remain in the yard by 

 keeping the wings cut till the following autumn, when they may be let 

 grow ; from this time there is no fear of their not coming with the poultry, 

 and in spring they will not fail to build near the house, and seek food for 

 their young in the kitchen. I must repeat again that nothing shining 

 must be left in the way of these birds, as they will cany it oflf im- 

 mediately, and hide it with great care, let them have as much food as 

 they like besides. 



I have lately received a letter from one of my friends, in which he 

 expresses himself thus: — "I have reared a magpie which comes like a 

 cat to rub itself Against me until I caress it. It has learnt of itself to fly 

 into the country and return. It follows me everywhere, even for more 

 than a league, so that I have much trouble to rid myself of it, and when 

 I do not wish its company in my walks and \isits I am obliged to shut 

 it up : though wild with any other person, it marks in my eyes the least 

 change in my temper. It will sometimes fly to a gi-eat distance with othei 

 magpies, without however connecting itself with them." 



THE ROLLER. 



CoMcias Garrula, Linnjeits ; Le RoUier d'Europe, Buffon ; Die Mandelkrahe, 

 Bechstein. 



This bird resembles the jay in size and form, and is twelve 

 inches in length, of which the tail measures four and a half; 

 the beak is blackish, before and behind the eyes is a blackish 



