General 
descrip- 
tion. 
718 OMNIVORI. CORVUS. MacpPieE. 
the sharpest thorny twigs (those of the black or sloe thorn be- 
ing generally preferred), closely interwoven, so as to preclude 
all entrance except at one small lateral hole, barely large 
enough for the admission and egress of the owners. ‘The 
number of the eggs is from six to eight, of a yellowish-grey 
- colour, speckled with yellowish-brown. 'The place selected 
for nidification varies, depending on the facilities afforded, 
but always with a view to security. Where trees abound, 
that which is loftiest, or difficult of access, is chosen, and, in 
- failure of these, the most impenetrable hedge or thorn bush. 
If taken young, it soon becomes tame, and, like others of this 
genus, may be taught tricks, and the articulation of some 
words. When alarmed, the magpie gives warning to all other 
birds and animals of the approaching danger by its chattering 
“note, the import of which appears to be understood, and uni- 
versally attended to. In the northern parts of England, the 
lingering remains of popular superstition still attach to the 
appearance of this bird, and various are the events predicted 
from the numbers seen together, their mode of flight, &c. 
The species is found in most of the temperate and northern 
regions of the Old Continent; and in Asia, it is met with in- 
habiting the plains, in Siberia, and as far as Kamtschatka. 
According to 'TTemmrncx, this bird exhibits also no specific 
difference in many parts of North America. 
Pirate 31. Fig. 2. Natural size. 
Bill black, with a small notch at the tip. Inrides dark brown. 
Head, neck, back and breast black. The feathers on 
the throat very open in texture, having but few barbs, 
and terminating with a bristle. Scapulars and belly 
white. Adjoining the tail-coverts is a bar of greyish- 
white, loose silky feathers. Rump and vent black. 
Wings glossed with blue and green reflections. The 
central parts of the inner webs of the quill feathers white. 
First quill-feather very short, the fourth and fifth being 
the longest. 'Tail about ten inches in length, bluish- 
black, glossed with golden-green, blue, and purple, pro- 
