Practical Game-Preserving. 378 



gamekeeper must wage against these birds is most success- 

 fully carried out during the nesting- and rearing-time of 

 these vermin, knowledge of their respective nests, nest- 

 ing-places, and haunts and habits at such times is very 

 necessary. 



The nest of the magpie, although of rugged exterior, 

 is by no means roughly constructed. The site usually 

 chosen is where several branches form a fork with the 

 trunk, and although the height from the ground is variable, 

 the birds always choose a tree which, at about four-fifths 

 of its height, offers a suitable place ; hence often nests will 

 be found far up amongst the branches of tall fir-trees, 

 where foliage is dense and spreading, mostly in situations 

 somewhat conspicuous, or in comparative proximity to 

 buildings ; while, under opposite circumstances, where the 

 covert is remote and closely wooded, one may discover a 

 nest some loft, or less from the ground, and seemingly 

 open to all publicity. In every instance, however, it is 

 carefully constructed of small sticks, the majority of which 

 are frequently prickly ones, and lined with fibre and roots, 

 having usually an entire dome of the first-mentioned 

 materials, or something like it. Oftener than not the dome 

 is complete, and a small round entrance at one side the 

 only opening to the nest. 



The nest of the jay is somewhat cup-shaped, the materials 

 being sticks, grass, and fibrous roots ; the former is used as 

 the foundation upon which the latter are laid to form a 

 fairly compact nest. The situation is sometimes at con- 

 siderable height, and, for a man, often placed at an 

 inaccessible point, so that it will be found most advisable 

 to shoot the old ones when opportunity offers. Occasion- 

 ally, however, the bird nests in a fairly low bush or tree. 



It would be an almost unending task to attempt to 

 enumerate and describe in detail all the places, and under 



