20 Bicton Gardens, their Culture and Management. 



of observation, lie does not make his nest in the trees. Holes 

 in lofty walls, and in stately ruins, are the favourite places for 

 his nidification. The cradle plumage of his young displays the 

 metallic colours of after-life ; hence, there is no perceptible dif- 

 ference in the appearance of the adult male and female. After 

 passing the summer months in Europe, he returns to Africa at 

 the autumnal equinox. 



The aerial movements of this bird put one in mind of our 

 own rook, when in the act of shooting downwards from on high. 

 He rises perpendicularly, and then descends in rapid zigzag- 

 evolutions, during which process, if you get betwixt the sun 

 and him, you have a magnificent view of his lovely plumage. 

 His voice has something in it of the united notes of the jay 

 and magpie. 



Innovations in modern ornithology, so prolific of scientific 

 confusion and unimportant distinctions, have removed this bird 

 from the family of Pie, where it had had a place from time im- 

 memorial ; thus rendering useless its most ancient name of Pica 

 marina. 



It was known in the time of the Romans. " Picus in aus- 

 piciis avis observata Latinis ; " and it was also admitted into 

 heathen mythology. Virgil alludes to the beautiful colours in 

 its wing: and above two thousand years ago, when the gods 

 used to change men into other animals, just as easily as we 

 nowadays change our acts of parliament, the Pica marina 

 was both king and liorsebreaker, " equum domitor." He was 

 married to the celebrated Circe, an enchantress of the first 

 order; she who changed the sailors of Ulysses into swine. 

 The royal horsebreaker had unfortunately shown a partiality 

 for a young woman in his own neighbourhood, a thing not al- 

 together unknown in our days. This so enraged his wife, that, 

 with her magic rod, far more potent than finger nails, she trans- 

 formed him into a bird ; and, at the same time, bespangled his 

 wings with beautiful colours. 



" Fecit avem Circe, sparsitque coloribiis alas," 



Walton Hall, Nov. 9. 1842. 



Art. III. Hicton Gardens, their Culture and Management. In a 

 Series of Letters to the Conductor. By James Barnes, Gardener 

 to the Right Honourable Lady Rolle. 



{Continued from ojir preceding Volume, p. 621.) 

 Letter IV. House for New Holland Plants. List of Neiv Holland Plants. 



I WILL now give you the dimensions, and a few other par- 

 ticulars, of the most lovely and interesting tribe of plants ever 



