JAYS. 



509 



plains fenced in with ■wooded hedgerows, find studded witli farm- 

 houses and cottages, are the type of landscape they prefer. In 

 spring plumage the Magpie is a fine bird, the feathers of the 

 back being of velvety black, while the breast and a part of the 

 wings are pure white. 



In the Brazils and Paraguay we find another species, whose 

 whole plumage is a fine cerulean blue, with the exception of the 



Fig. 217. — Common Magpie {Comts pica, Linn.). 



head and throat, which are black. In China there is also a Mag- 

 pie of beautiful cobalt-blue plumage ; its two centre tail feathers 

 are very long, barred with black, and tipped with pure white ; the 

 bill and legs are red. It is extremely shy, and occasionally seen 

 in flocks. By the inhabitants it is frequentlj^ taught to speak. 



The Jays [Corviis gktndarius) have short bills, which are 

 slio-htly notched at the tip ; head rather large ; feathers on the 

 upper and anterior part of the head erectile when the bird is irri- 

 tated ; those feathers at the base of the upper mandible are stiff, 

 with short barbs. It is not less shy than other members of the 

 family, although it frequents gardens, where it feeds on beans 

 and peas, of which it seems to be particularly fond. Its food, 

 however, is not confined to fruit and vegetables, as it picks up 

 worms, insects, the eggs of small birds, and Crustacea, after the 

 manner of Crows and Magpies. Naturally irascible and quar- 



