THE MAGPIE. 303 



and the falconer is forced to drive it from its refuge before tlie hawk can secure its prey. In 

 some parts of Europe, Magpie hawking is a favorite amusement, for the Magpie is to the full 

 as cunning as a fox, and in spite of all the array of beaters, hounds, and horsemen, not unfre- 

 quently baffles its pursuers, and makes its escape in safety. 



The food of the Magpie is as multifarious as that of the crow or raven, and consists of 

 various animal and vegetable substances. It is a determined robber of other birds' nests, drag- 

 ging the unfledged young out of their homes, or driving its bill through their eggs and thus 

 carrying them away. Even hens' nests are not spared by tliis bold and voracious bird, who, 

 however, sometimes falls a victim to its marauding propensities. The aggrieved poultry- 

 owner, after removing the eggs from all the hens' nests, empties one of the eggs, and fills it 

 again with bird-lime. This prepared egg is then placed in the nest as a bait for the Magpie, 

 who soon returns to the scene of its former robberies, drives its beak into the egg and makes off 

 with its booty. Its triumph is, however, very short-lived, for the bird soon finds itself unable 

 to get rid of the stolen egg in the usual manner, and at last batters it against a stone or branch 

 for the purpose of breaking the shell. The natural consequence is, that the biixl-lime imme- 

 diately clings to the beak, and the broken fragments of shell, which fly in every direction, 

 cover the wings and jDlumage as the bird tries to sliake itself loose fi'om its impediments, and 

 the Magpie falls to the ground in a hopelessly cripjiled state, and becomes an easy victim to 

 the author of the snare. 



The Magpie also attacks full-grown birds, mice, reptiles of various kinds, and has been 

 observed in the act of killing a common grass snake. Beetles it eats in very large quantities, 

 and also feeds upon worms, snails, and various similar creatures, so that the harm which it 

 does to the game and poultry is probably more than compensated by its good offices in ridding 

 the gardens and cultivated grounds of their varied foes. It also eats fruits, and has been seen 

 to feast eagerly on the light succulent berries of the mountain ash. 



Like the crow, the Magpie is a determined persecutor of various birds and beasts of prey, 

 scarcely allowing a hawk to pass within ken, or a weasel or stoat to glide along the "bottom of 

 a hedge without screeching forth an alarm and a summons to its allies, and dashing at once to 

 the attack. Mr. Metcalf relates, that while in Norway, he saw his dog pursued and mobbed 

 by at least forty of these birds. The same writer also remarks, that he captured a Magpie by 

 means of a j)iece of meat on a hook. The bird took the bait as eagerly as any perch would 

 have done, and, to its profound astonishment, was immediately hooked. Mr. Metcalf amused 

 himself a little while in "playing" the bird as if it had been a fish, Avith this difference, 

 that the Magpie was trying to escape by flight, and poured forth a succession of most 

 dismal yells, which sent off all its fonuerly valiant companions screaming with terror at the 

 unexpected sight. 



The nest of the Magpie is a rather complicated edifice, domed, with an entrance at the 

 side, and mostly formed on the exterior of thorn-branches, so as to afford an effectual protec- 

 tion against any foe who endeavors to force admittance into so strong a fortress. Generally 

 the nest is placed at the very summit of some lofty tree, the bird usually preferring those trees 

 which run for many feet without a branch. The tops of tall i^ines are favorite localities for the 

 Magpie's nest, as the trunk of these trees is bare of bi'anches except at the summit, and the 

 dark green foliage of the spreading branches is so thick that it affords an effectual shelter to 

 the large and conspicuous edifice which rests upon the boughs. Sometimes, however, when 

 the Magpie has been protected, and accustomed itself to the vicinity of human habitations, it 

 has fixed its nest in a low bush near the ground, as if trusting to the kindly feelings of its 

 human neighbors. 



Although displaying great attachment to its mate, and the most dauntless courage in 

 defending its nest and young, its affections seem to be i-ather transient in their character, and 

 quite unable to withstand the test of absence. For example, if one Magpie of a pair be shot, 

 the survivor never fails to find another mate within the space of two or three days. Some- 

 times the period of widowhood exists only for some twenty-four hours, and there have been 

 instances where a Magpie has found another mate within a few hours after the decease of its 

 former spouse. 



