MAGPIE. 209 



but to have been introduced by some English colonists sub- 

 sequent to the reign of Queen Elizabeth. In Belgium this 

 bird is very common. 



" In the Isle of Wight," says the Rev. C. Bury, " the 

 Magpie is almost as abundant as I have found it on the 

 opposite shores of Normandy, where I believe it is more 

 plentiful than any other species of bird. I once counted 

 eighteen in company in this neighbourhood, and saw lately 

 the effigies of at least twice that number, nailed up against 

 a keeper's wall, all killed during last winter." This 

 species is not met with in the islands of Corfu or Crete. 



In wooded parts of Surrey we have found this species 

 tolerably plentiful ; but it is a shy bird, and chiefly seen 

 when on the wing, flying from one lofty tree to another. 

 Its peculiar flight and appearance when on the wing render 

 it very conspicuous : it carries its tail in a horizontal 

 position, and the length of this member is very apparent 

 when contrasted with the short and fluttering wings : its 

 pied plumage, when the wings are expanded, has also a 

 pleasing effect. 



These birds build indifferently in trees or bushes, or 

 under the eaves of houses. " In Norway," says M. Boie, 

 " it builds chiefly in edifices. When built in a tree or 

 bush, where it can be plainly seen, the nest is a beautiful 

 and curious structure. The situation is often cleverly 

 chosen, so as almost to defy access. One that we once 

 met with was built in the top of a scrubby thorn bush, 

 so slender that it was impossible to climb it so as to reach 

 the nest, although not more than eleven or twelve feet 

 from the ground : the nest itself, which was placed in the 

 intersection of the topmost branches, appeared to consist 

 of a cup formed of earth, around which was built a trellice 

 work of dry branches of white-thorn so interlaced together 

 that it would have been impossible to get the hand within 



VOL. III. P 



