430 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



informed that the farmers had destroyed them all, as they con- 

 sidered that they (the birds) palled up the wheat when in the 

 " milk." I endeavoured to point out what a grave mistake had 

 been made. It was another instance of too hasty conclusions 

 being arrived at through faulty observation. The birds were 

 merely searching among the sprouting grain for their favourite 

 food of grubs and worms. A lamentable number of Magpies are 

 destroyed every year through the careless and indiscriminate 

 laying of poison for rabbits and sparrows. There is a certain 

 number of agriculturists who cannot, and will not, see any good 

 in birds, and consider that even the total annihilation of their 

 feathered friends would have no effect on the many " pests ' 

 with which they are plagued. Not long ago a large landowner, 

 who does not poison, picked up no fewer than 200 dead Magpies, 

 besides other birds, that had been poisoned by his neighbours. 



The food is almost entirely insectivorous ; in the winter 

 seeds and any stray grain are added to the menu. The larvae of 

 the Hepialid moth Oncopera intricata form its favourite diet, and 

 about sunrise is the chief feeding time. It is very entertaining 

 to watch a Magpie hunting for grubs ; it goes about the work in 

 such a business-like manner. 



Let us watch one at work. It soon stops short and puts 

 its head on one side, as if saying, " Now I have got you." An 

 instant later the beak is darted down with lightning rapidity 

 and a grub pulled out. It must not be imagined that the grubs 

 are lying full length out of their burrows ; their heads only are 

 visible just below the surface of the ground, but quite enough 

 for the sharp-eyed Magpie. When not engaged in seeking food, 

 most of its time is passed among the branches of lofty trees. 

 It moves in small flocks of from six to a dozen individuals, 

 although occasionally far larger flocks may be seen. The largest 

 flock I have seen recently round Launceston consisted of forty- 

 seven birds. Bound Conara (the native name for the Magpie), 

 and other midland districts, even larger flocks may be seen. 



The Magpie is of a somewhat pugnacious disposition, being 

 always quite willing to cross swords with one of its own species 

 or any other bird, or, if tame, does not scruple to try conclusions 

 with a cat or dog. Hawks are its pet aversion, not an oppor- 

 tunity being lost to harass every one that comes near. On one 



