516 



8 



that I have found the white on the throat quite as much developed in several British specimens 

 as in any of the American birds I have examined ; that Mr. John Keast Lord, an excellent field- 

 naturalist, states in his ' Naturalist in British Columbia' (vol. ii. p. 71) that the American Magpie 

 "builds much the same kind of nest as our British species, and lays seven or eight eggs." As to 

 the difference in note, Mr. Lord evidently did not find this the case, as he further states that 

 " seeing them in freedom they appear to be identical." As a rule the American bird has a longer 

 tail — but not always, as I find that, in the specimens I have examined, the length of the tail varies 

 from 10^ to 12 inches. Mr. Blyth (I. c), in describing Pica media, incorrectly gives South 

 America as the habitat of the Magpie ; for it never even occurs so far south as Mexico. 



In its habits the Magpie varies according to circumstances. Here in England, where it is 

 followed and shot by gamekeepers whenever they get within range, it is exceedingly shy and 

 wary ; and hence the popular saying that it can smell the powder. On the other hand, in 

 Scandinavia, where it is a universal favourite and a protected bird, it is as tame and impertinent 

 as a London Sparrow. I have often approached within a few yards of several which were busily 

 searching on the road for any thing eatable they could pick up, and have even seen nests in 

 gooseberry-bushes close to a cottage. 



The Magpie builds a large, bulky nest, constructed of sticks, generally, such as have the 

 thorns still on them ; and it is made with a strong dome, covering and protecting the nest itself. 

 This latter is formed of fine roots and dried grass, placed on a foundation of earth plastered on 

 the sticks which form the bottom of the outside structure. The eggs, from six to eight in 

 number, vary considerably as to colour and markings, and are pale bluish white, covered closely 

 with brownish or greenish brown spots. In size those in my collection vary from l^y by f % inch 

 to 1^-J by 1 inch. The nest is placed at some altitude in a tree, but often quite low in a bush 

 or hedge ; and in Norway, as I am informed by Mr. Collett, they sometimes build under the 

 eaves of houses or even in treeless localities on the ground. 



The note of the Magpie is a chatter, often harsh, but during the breeding-season modulated 

 and softer than at other seasons of the year. In the winter they often collect in considerable 

 flocks, and when going to roost make a great noise. I. have often in Scandinavia seen many in 

 company together, especially in midwinter. It feeds on carrion, small birds, and mammals, eggs, 

 and indeed any animal food that comes handy, and is very destructive to game and poultry, 

 picking up the young birds, and destroying eggs, whenever it gets the chance of so doing. 

 Mr. Collett informs me that on the Norwegian coast it feeds chiefly on dead fish and the refuse 

 cast out by the fishermen ; and he further states that he has known it to make raids on the ripe 

 cherries. 



Sir John Sebright states that Magpie-hawking is most excellent sport. Yarrell, quoting 

 from him, writes that ; ' nothing can be more animating than this sport ; it is, in my opinion, far 

 superior to every other kind of hawking. The object of the chase is fully a match for its 

 pursuers — a requisite absolutely necessary to give an interest to any sport of this kind ; and it 

 has the advantage of giving full employment to the company, which is not the case in Partridge- 

 hawking. A down or common, where low trees or thorn-bushes are dispersed at distances of 

 from thirty to fifty yards apart, is the place best calculated for this diversion. When a Magpie 

 is seen at a distance, a Hawk is immediately to be cast off. The Magpie will take refuge in a 



