6 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



which have been the theme of several dramas and at least 

 one opera. But it must not be thought that the Magpie's 

 brains are wholly devoted to thieving, for, generally suc- 

 cessful freebooter as he is, yet he also combines discretion 

 with his audacity, and, consequently, in building a nest, 

 having selected a partner in housekeeping, the pair will 

 be found to choose the topmost branch of a tall tree, or the 

 top of a tall thick hedgerow as its site ; and bird-nesters 

 can vouch for the general security of either. Twined 

 around these forked branches, they construct a large nest 

 with an outside foundation of sharp, thorny sticks and 

 twigs interlaced, then lined with mud or earth, and again 

 lined with fibrous roots and dry grasses ; but over and 

 above this is placed a dome-like structure, which serves as 

 a covering from the bad weather, and also as a protection 

 from enemies. It is said that the female sits with her 

 head facing the aperture, so that a good escape may be 

 made should danger threaten; but after climbing a tall 

 tree it is difficult to determine that point. 



Early in the spring-time, within her carefully appointed 

 nest, the hen Magpie deposits from six to seven eggs, of a 

 pale, dull, bluish-white, with spots of an ash-colour and 

 greenish-brown distributed somewhat generally. The 

 young are blessed with appetites of such a kind as to entail 

 upon the parent birds an exceptional amount of labour in 

 the effort to supply them with food. Whilst they are in 

 the nest many of the surrounding happy homes of other 

 birds are rifled of their young, and go towards supplying 

 the Magpie's larder. Not only wild birds, but the inno- 

 cent farm-yard chicken, young hares, rabbits, and other 

 game are likewise laid under contribution. When other 

 food fails (and the Magpie cannot expect always to 



