MAGPIES. JAYS. 
131 
Wilson describes the American crow^ a species closely 
allied to ours {C. Corone), as being easily domesticated; lie 
says that ^^it is only when thus rendered unsuspicious of man/ 
and placed on familiarity with him^ that the true traits of his 
genius and native disposition fully develope themselves. In 
this state he soon learns to distinguish all the members of the 
family; flies towards the gate^ screaming at the approach 
of a stranger ; learns to open the door by alighting on the 
latch; attends regularly at the stated hours of dinner and 
breakfast^ which he appears punctually to recollect ; is ex- 
tremely noisy and loquacious ; imitates the sound of various 
words pretty distinctly ; is a great thief and hoarder of cu- 
riosities, hiding in holes, corners, and crevices every loose 
article he can carry off, particularly small pieces of metal, 
corn, bread, and food of all kinds ; is fond of the society of 
his master, and will know him even after a long absence.''^ 
Among the prettiest of our British birds are the common 
Magpie and the Jay, two species which are in many places 
mercilessly persecuted. The sight even of the former is 
deemed by many as auguring ill luck.^^ Mr. Waterton 
however has extensively patronized them around his man- 
sion in Yorkshire, and has given, in his ^ Essays on Natural 
History,^ a curious account of their services as watchmen. 
