264 NATXniAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



speedy retreat. The blue jay is not only bold and vociferous, 

 but possesses a considerable talent for mimicry, and seems 

 to enjoy great satisfaction in mocking and teasing other birds, 

 particularly the little hawk, imitating his cry whenever he 

 sees him, and squeaking out as if caught; this soon brings 

 a number of his own tribe around him, who all join in the 

 frolic, darting about the hawk, and feigning the cries of a 

 bird sorely wounded, and already in the clutches of its 

 devourer; while others lie concealed in bushes, ready to 

 second their associates in the attack. But this ludicrous farce 

 often terminates tragically. The hawk, singling out one of 

 the most insolent and provoking, swoops upon him in an 

 unguarded moment, and offers him up a sacrifice to his 

 hunger and resentment. In an instant the tune is changed, 

 all their buffoonery vanishes, and loud and incessant screams 

 proclaim their disaster. Whenever the jay has had the 

 advantage of education from man, he has not only shown 

 himself an apt scholar, but his suavity of manners seems 

 equalled only by his art and contrivances, though it must 

 be confessed that his itch for thieving keeps pace with all 

 his other acquirements." 



The The Magpie is an ancient bird and is men- 



Magpie, tioned by Plutarch and other early writers. It 

 is indigenous in England and shows great industry and in- 

 genuity in the construction of its nest, which it lines with 

 mud plaster and covers with thorns, building upon high 

 trees and in secluded spots. It feeds upon both animal and 

 vegetable food, attacking birds, young ducks and chickens, 

 as well as mice and even rats, and regaling itself on both 

 fruit and grain. It attains to a length of about eighteen 

 inches and is a handsome bird, though captivity does not 

 improve its appearance. 

 The Magpie's The mischievous habits of the magpie have 

 Mischief. ^on for it the name of " the Monkey of the 

 Birds," the Raven as Mr, Wood puts it being "theomitho- 



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