290 MAGPIE. Class II. 



wings, and the form of the tail,* each feather 

 shortening from the two middlemost : it agrees 

 also in its food, which are worms, insects, and 

 small birds. It will destroy young chickens ; 

 is a crafty, restless, noisy bird : Ovid therefore 

 with great justice styles it, 



Nemorum convicia Pica. 



Is easily tamed, and may be taught to imitate the 

 human voice. It builds its nest with great art, 

 covering it entirely with thorns, except one small 

 hole for admittance, and lining it with wool and 

 soft materials. It lays six or seven eggs, of 

 a pale green color spotted with brown. The 

 magpie weighs near nine ounces : the length is 

 eighteen inches ; the breadth only twenty four. 

 " The Magpie is found throughout Europe. 

 1 have also seen a specimen from China. In 

 America it is a rare bird. It is subject to much 

 variety, *oiz. wholly white, black and white in 

 streaks, and white and soot color." J. L. 



* The tail very cuneiform, the two middle feathers being eleven 

 inches in length and sometimes more, the exterior feather only 

 five inches and a half. J. L. 



