232 VERTEBRATES. 



about twenty feet from the ground, the upper part of a thick bush 

 being preferred. The eggs are five or six in number, of a yel- 

 lowish white, thickly speckled with brown. The length of the 

 bird is nearly fourteen inches. 



The Magpie, which seems to rival the parrot in the proud 

 title of the monkey of the birds (the raven being the ornitholo- 

 gical baboon), is a well-known inhabitant of England " Ita 

 thieving and hiding propensities," says Mr. Wood, " have been 

 frequently told ; but I must still venture to give a few anecdotes 

 or a tame magpie that resided in Wiltshire. This bird found a 

 malicious enjoyment in pecking the unprotected ankles of little 

 boys not yet arrived at manly habiliments, and was such a terror 

 to the female servants that they were forced to pass his lurking- 

 place armed with a broom. One of the servants having neglected 

 this precaution, was actually found sitting down on the stones to 

 protect her ankles, the magpie triumphantly pacing round her, 

 until aid was brought, and the bird driven away. But to little 

 boys and girls the magpie showed no mercy, springing out of its 

 hiding-place and chasing them completely along the garden walk." 



George Le Roy states that a magpie having stolen some 

 game, it was resolved to shoot it. A man hid himself in a hut 

 near its nest for this purpose. The bird flew away when he en- 

 tered, nor would return. The next day two men entered and one 

 came out. Mag was not to be cheated ; she waited till the second 

 left also. Three went in and two came out, with the same result. 

 Four then entered, and three came away. The bird went back 

 and was shot. So magpies, says George Le Roy, can count three 

 but not four. 



The nest of the Magpie is built on a high tree, and curiously 

 defended with thorns, having only a small hole just large enough 

 to admit the owners, so that the liberal use of a pocket knife is 

 frequently requisite in order to obtain the eggs. The nest ia 

 covered with a dome of thorns. 



The Raven is found on the continent of America, and in 

 most parts of Europe and Asia. It lives principally on carrion 

 of various kinds, such as dead sheep »r lambs, whose death the 



