LXV. 

 PICA CAUDATA. (kav.) 



Magpie, Pianet. 



This elegant and well known bird is another of those which 

 are in this country doomed to the most exterminating de- 

 struction, because they exercise those instincts which are im- 

 planted in them by the God of Nature. It has become (in 

 consequence of its persecuted life, and contrary to its dispo- 

 sition) one of the shyest birds we meet with ; a little of its 

 nature will, however, even here, prevail in its selection of 

 those trees for its nest, which are near some human dwelling. 

 In Norway, a country where it meets with nothing but kind- 

 ness, it is upon the most familiar terms with the natives. In 

 the town of Drontheim, it builds its nest under the eaves of 

 their warehouses, and on the churches, upon the roofs of 

 which, and the surrounding tombstones, a dozen of them may 

 be seen at one time. 



In the country, and even upon the islands adjacent to tlie 

 coast, we scarcely saw a single house without two or more of 

 these lively birds, under the very eaves of which they com- 

 monly build their nests, or in some stunted tree close by, 

 where the nests are piled upon each other for many feet in 

 depth, the accumulation of the undisturbed and quiet posses- 

 sion of many years. We were always much pleased with the 

 kind feeling evinced by the inhabitants towards the feathered 

 race ; in some of their houses holes are cut for the admission 

 of the Starling ; against others pieces of wood are nailed to 

 support tlie nest of the House Martin. At Christmas, too, 

 sheaves of corn are placed on the roofs of their houses, that 

 their feathered friends may join in the general festivity of the 

 season. It is, in consequence of this, that the Magpie walks 

 into the houses witli pert confidence. In no instance did wc 



