174 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



captivity for some time it shows none of its wonted familiarity, cunning 

 and intelligence. The case is different with birds taken young, which 

 have been known to become wonderfully tame. An excellent account 

 of a crow's habits has been given by Jerdon in his " Birds of India," volume 

 II. 



(2) THE MAGPIE. 

 (PICA RUSTIOA— (Scop.) ) 



Both the European and the Asiatic forms have been represented 

 in the garden. Not only is the amount of white variable in different 

 specimens, but their size appears to vary also. 



Hab. — Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. In India 

 its range is confined to the Western Himalayas. 



Length of life in captivity. 



The longest period during which one has lived in the garden has 

 been about six years. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — As magpies generally inhabit temperate regions, their 

 accommodation should be cool and shady. A couple of them may do 

 well in an ordinary parrot cage (about three feet square), but in such 

 close confinement it has been noticed that their fine tails become injured : 

 a lofty and somewhat spacious compartment of a large aviary is 

 undoubtedly preferable, as in such a place they can live in company 

 with many other birds of the same family and genus. A hollow log 

 of wood or a box may be given them for retirement. During the hot 

 season a tolerably large basin of water should be supplied, besides the 

 drinking' water, as they are fond of bathing in sultry weather. 



Food. — These birds appear to thrive well on a mixed diet consisting 

 of minced meat, fruit, especially plantains, boiled rice, boiled eggs and 

 satoo. 



Breeding. — Magpies have never bred or even laid in this garden, 

 but they have several times been observed as making attempts to 

 build. 



Transport. — The flat-bottomed wicker baskets in which they are 

 imported from China and the Straits are by far the best for conveying 

 them from place to place ; a proper arrangement should, of course, be 

 made for providing good drinking water, as without it these birds suffer 

 greatly. As they will eat almost everything consumed by man, no 

 difficulty need be experienced in feeding them in transit. 



Teeatment in sickness. 



Magpies, like many other birds, suffer from bad moult, and seldom 

 recover until after the next moulting season. Perfect cleanliness and 

 a good dietary are the only remedies that can be suggested for them 

 while in this state. 



