DOUBTFUL CHARACTERS 115 



Gulls, rooks, and jackdaws follow the plough, 

 but the magpie does not ; he only forages in 

 the fields. If there is one part of his plumage 

 he cares for more than another, it is his beauti- 

 ful tail ; so, if the grass in the meadows is wet 

 or damp, he holds it well up out of it. Those 

 very accurate Dutch painters noticed this trait, 

 and have painted the bird in this attitude when 

 introduced into some of their unrivalled cattle 

 pieces ; just as he really is, far from game covers, 

 getting his living, and taking care of himself 

 by using all the wits of which the handsome 

 fellow is owner. 



The carrion crow might be called the lesser 

 raven, for in all but size he is the very counter- 

 part of his larger relative. He has a reputation 

 all his own, one that no creature, would wish to 

 share, equal to that enjoyed by Odin's news- 

 vendor, the raven. 



The jay, a bright, active, and handsome bird, 

 is as well known in the country as is the com- 

 mon house sparrow. Like that tiresome repeater 

 of Chip-chip-chip-chisick-chisick ! he is about 

 everywhere, although the hand of man has been, 

 and is still, very much against him from the 

 game preserving point of view alone. 



With country people and their children, in 



