INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 35 



plaining, till some of its associates join it. Even 

 in small parties they keep continually calling with 

 a fine clear tone, and inviting others to join them. 



The gregarious propensity of magpies is very 

 observable in open countries. In the inclosed 

 lands of England they are more commonly seen in 

 pairs or families, like the jay and titmouse. A 

 naturalist, residing in Somersetshire, says, "In 

 the winter, magpies assemble to roost in large flocks 

 in a wood near by. Hundreds come there regu- 

 larly every evening, flying in from all directions. 

 They formerly frequented an orchard on the 

 opposite side of the valley to which the wood is 

 situated ; but, having been shot at, they deserted 

 it for the wood. The next evening not one mag- 

 pie came to the orchard, but all went simulta- 

 neously to the wood as if they had previously 

 agreed among themselves to do so. In moonlight 

 nights they might be seen clustering together on 

 the trees." 



Besides the assemblages that take place at 

 particular seasons in different species, as the gold- 

 finches, larks, starlings, etc., others continue their 

 association without interruption, as the various 

 species of wild fowl. These can hardly be said to 

 separate for the purpose of nidification, since they 

 frequent the same district of marsh or swamp, for 

 that purpose, in the northern regions in immense 



