NATURAL HISTORY. 273 



thrush, ' I did as far as that before I came here.' ' Oh ! then, 

 replied the magpie, ' as I see that you all know how to 

 make nests, there is no occasion for me to teach you.' And 

 that is the reason why the other birds are only able to build 

 half nests." 



The interior of the nest is defended by a coating of mud, 

 Avorked smooth. The eggs -are five in number, of a greenish 

 white, covered with brown markings. The length of the bird 

 is about eighteen inches. 



CORVUS. (Lat. a Crow.) 



Corax (Gr. Kopa, a Raven), the Raven. 



The RAVEN is very common on the continent, and most 

 parts of Asia and America, but is now seldom seen in this 

 country except, in a domesticated state. It is more frequently 

 found in the Hebrides than in any other part of Great Britain. 

 I:i those islands it lives principally on carrion of various 



