THE AMERICAN MAGPIE 323 



out for wolves. If hospitably received, this bird will come 

 close to the haunts and camps of man, investigating every- 

 thing, and looking for scraps of food. If not fired at, it soon 

 becomes very friendly, and a small cabin easily becomes the 

 haunt of a score of birds. Some of those in the Flying Cage 

 of the New York Zoological Park are at times as amusing as 

 monkeys. They come close up to the wires, and when the 

 visitor bends down, to listen or converse, they actually talk- 

 in their language. In low, confidential tones they tell of 

 their fear of the big condor, the painful pecks they get from 

 the herons, and the greediness of the ducks in devouring all 

 of their kind of food. 



In the days of elk and buffalo slaughter, the Magpies 

 feasted continually upon fresh meat. Now they make friends 

 with the ranchmen, and eat all kinds of food. This interesting 

 bird ranges from Alaska, and the edge of the arctic barrens, 

 southward through the great plains and mountains to the 

 arid regions of the Southwest. It is easily kept in confine- 

 ment, if provided with a large cage and a suitable house, out- 

 of-doors. 



In thickly settled farming regions, in its natural geographic 

 range, this bird becomes a serious pest. It devours eggs, 

 small chickens and ducklings and fruit, and is greatly dis- 

 liked. It should not be introduced into any farming region 

 from which it is naturally absent. 



THE BLUE-JAY 1 needs no description only toleration; 

 for his reputation would be all the better for washing. He 

 is a bird of unbounded assurance, and being well known as a 



1 Cy-an-o-cit'ta cris-ta'ta. Length, 11.50 inches. 



