50 MAGPIE. 



the gunner, and so, though a marked bird, for the most part 

 contrives to save itself; but many a one garnishes the gable- 

 end of the gamekeeper's house. 



It is a crafty, noisy, artful bird, and its chatter set up at 

 the sight of almost any creature, proclaims and calls forth at 

 once a mutual hostility. Magpies continue in pairs throughout 

 the year, but several are often seen together, probably the 

 family party in general, but sometimes as many as a score. 

 If taken young they are very easily tamed, and learn to 

 imitate many words, and to perform various tricks. Thieving 

 is as natural to them as to the rest of their tribe, and anv 

 thing shining, in particular, they cannot resist the instinct to 

 purloin. 



The night is made with quick vibrations, as if with some 

 effort: on the ground this bird advances either by hopping 

 or walking. 



The Magpie's appetite is omnivorous; young lambs, and 

 even weakly sheep, leverets, young rabbits, game, fish, carrion , 

 insects, fruits, and grain, all meet its requirements. 



Its note is a harsh chatter. 



Nidification begins early in the spring. 



The nest, which is resorted to from year to year, is placed 

 in the top of a tall tree or hedge, or sometimes in a lower 

 one, if otherwise suitably protectant. It is rather of an oblong 

 shape, built of strong sticks and thorns, cemented together 

 with mud, and lined with roots and grass; an aperture to 

 admit the bird is left on one side, and from this loop-hole 

 any approaching danger is descried, in order to a timely 

 retreat; the top is covered over. I am informed by W. F. 

 W. Bird, Esq. that the Magpie builds in Kensington Gardens. 



The eggs are six or seven, rarely eight in number, pale 

 bluish white, spotted all over with grey and greenish brown, 

 more or less dark. 



Male; weight, between eight and nine ounces; length, one 

 foot and a half; bill, black; iris, dark brown; head, crown, 

 neck, and nape, jet black; chin and throat, black, the shafts 

 of some of the feathers being greyish white; breast above, 

 black, below, pure white; back, black. The wings short, and 

 rather rounded: the white feathers from the shoulder form a 

 distinct white patch along them. The first feather is only 

 two inches and a half long, the fifth the longest, the fourth 

 and sixth nearly as long; greater wing coverts, fine blue; 

 ] * <><} wing coverts, black ; primaries, black, with an elongated 



