THE AMERICAN MAGPIE. ■ 351 



There seemed to be a perfect understanding from the start about the mode of 

 attack by which they accomplished their purpose, which could not have been 

 successfully done in any other way. 



That they are most skillful thieves is well known to any one acquainted 

 with these birds. How to carry off an egg larger than it could grasp in its 

 bill might puzzle a bird of another species, but not the Magpie. If too large 

 to carry in the ordinary way, it simply runs its beak through the shell and 

 carries it off in this manner. If one manages to find the entrance to a henhouse, 

 eggs will always be scarce thereafter. Aside from its thieving propensities it is 

 also one of the most mischievous birds I know, and enjoys scaring and deceiving 

 better-behaved members of the feathered tribe. It will mimic the cry of a Hawk 

 as well as that of the Jay, and seems to delig'ht in causing the poultry to run in 

 every direction; it also imitates the cackle of a hen just after she has deposited 

 an egg, causing the roosters to search for her; in fact, it delights in playing 

 tricks of all kinds, and seems to enjoy them thoroughly. An enumeration of 

 the various misdeeds and laughable performances of a pet Magpie belonging to 

 one of the cavalry troops I served with would fill a fair-sized book, but it would 

 be out of place here. Some of these birds are far more intelligent than others. 

 Any bright, glittering object is sure to draw their attention, and is promptly 

 picked up and secreted, it matters not how large it may be, if it is not too heavy 

 to carry or drag away. 



The southern and eastern range of the American Magpie has become some- 

 what restricted within recent years, and they are no longer found in certain 

 localities where thirty years ago they were reported as fairly common. It prefers 

 rather open country, shuns the heavy forests and strictly desert regions, and in 

 the Rocky Mountains has been observed at high altitudes. The shrubbery and 

 undergrowth found along water courses and springs in the foothill regions 

 and the canyons in the higher mountains seem to be its favorite habitat. 



Its ordinary call note is a querulous "click, dick," or "chaeck, chaeck," 

 uttered in a high key, and is disagreeable to the ear, but it frequently utters also 

 a low, garrulous gabble, intermixed with whistling notes, not at all unpleasing, 

 as if talking to itself, and if annoyed at anything it does not hesitate to show its 

 displeasure by scolding - in the most unmistakable manner. The Magpie spends 

 considerable time on the ground in search of food, and while its walk is some- 

 what jerky, it is graceful, and in moving about the handsome wedge-shaped tail 

 is slightly elevated and constantly twitched ; occasionally, as when in a hurry, 

 the ordinary walk is varied to a series of hops. Its flight is never very pro- 

 tracted, and is only resorted to when necessary. 



The general habits of the American Magpie vary somewhat in different 

 localities. In some sections, as soon as the snow disappears, birds which have 

 spent the winter months in the vicinity of farms and cattle or sheep ranches 

 (unquestionably attracted to such places by a more abundant food supply) leave 

 them and retire from the immediate vicinity of settlements to take up their 

 housekeeping duties in more secluded localities, while in other places these 



