540 



MY GARDEN. 



ing, by means of its long tongue, to steal the food from the one in 

 the upper cage. The length of tongue reminded me of the chameleon, 

 though the woodpecker took its food slowly, and not with the rapid 

 dart of the chameleon. Why the Woodpecker should be called unlucky 

 is not very apparent ; nevertheless the bard sings : 



" Teque nee laevus vetet ire picus, 

 Nee vaga cornix." HORACE, Ode 27. 



An occasional Jay (Corvus glandarius, fig. 1159) has been seen, 

 but they are more commonly resident in large woods, where they are 

 destructive to the eggs of birds. 



Magpies (Pica caudata, fig. 

 1 1 60) have been observed in 

 my grounds, but they are 

 scarce throughout the district. 

 They are charming, active 

 birds for pets. One which 

 used to breakfast with me 

 every morning was always 

 FIG. n6o.-Mag P ie. jntent upon securing the 



butter; and when I resided in the Bank of England, a pet I had 

 then used to get into the offices and hide the pens and upset the 

 ink. Another great amusement of his was to pull the dog's tail when 

 he was asleep, and hop away before he could be caught. 



Jackdaws (Corvus monedula, 

 fig. Ii6i) abound, and are 

 sometimes troublesome, as they 

 come in flocks when the gar- 

 deners are at dinner, and in a 

 few minutes devour a whole 

 crop of peas. 



We have the Carrion Crow 

 (Corvus corone, fig. 1162). A few 

 Hooded Crows (Corvus comix], formerly considered to be sacred to 



FIG. 1161. Jackdaw 



