MAGPIES. ,219 



MAGPIES. 



THESE clowns or monkeys of the bird-race are found in large numbers in many 

 parts of the globe ; and, although divided into numerous classes, they are alike 

 in being very intelligent, and combine with it a large amount of mischief. Mag- 

 pies, when wild, have all the cunning and mischievous qualities which exist in our 

 well-known neighbor, the Crow. The Magpie has a great many virtues, which in a 

 manner offset his destructive qualities ; while his many droll tricks and talkative 

 disposition make him respected in bird-circles. As a humorous pet, when confined 

 where he can do no injury to articles of jewellery or &n'c-(V&rac, he has no equal. 

 He has been made the subject of verse and prose, certainly since the time of 

 Chaucer. His sedate walk was frequently referred to as worthy the imitation of 

 the proud wives of ye olden time, while the many anecdotes which have been related 

 of his crazy antics would fill a funny story-book. 



The species of Magpie most commonly seen, and which is represented in the 

 plate, is about the size of a Pigeon, but more slender in shape, and having a long 

 tail, the entire length of the bird measuring eighteen inches. The colorings of the 

 plumage, although simple, are very handsome ; because they are so uniquely 

 arranged, and blend so charmingly. The black and white are exceedingly clear ; 

 and the conical tail is tipped with a purple tinge, which passes into steel blue. 



In the European countries the Magpie is well known, and, more than any other 

 wild bird, frequents the habitation of man. By his depredations in the fields and 

 poultry-yards he has incurred the hatred of farmers, who take all opportunities 

 presented of lessening his numbers. His humorous tricks are any thing but laugh- 

 able to the honest tillers of the soil, and poultry- fanciers ; as he will sit with impunity 

 on the head of the most skilfully constructed scarecrow, and, in his tender solicitude 

 for the welfare of a brood of young chickens, eat them in order to protect them 

 from future dangers. 



The Magpie builds its nest on trees close to human habitations, and generally 

 lays four or five whitish-green eggs. The nest is a marvel of its kind, and, besides 

 showing an immense amount of ingenuity in its construction, is built on the plan of 

 a fortress. It is surrounded by thorns, which serve as a means of defence against 

 egg-robbing boys, and has a small entrance in one side just large enough to admit 

 the occupants ; so that a liberal use of a stout knife or an axe is necessary in order 

 to obtain the eggs. The nest is covered with a dome of thorns, respecting which a 

 curiously quaint fable is told. 



As a bird-architect, the Magpie is grand master of the craft, and the Rook a 

 very poor nest-builder. Once the Magpie undertook to initiate the Rook into some 



