MAGPIE. 
131 
the longest ; wings, when shut, reac]i within two inches of the tip of the 
tail ; tail rounded, and seven inches long from its insertion ; thighs very 
long ; legs stout ; claAvs sharp, long and hooked, hind one the largest, 
all jet black. Male and female much alike. 
I would beg leave to recommend to the watchful farmers of tho 
United States, that in their honest indignation against the common 
Crow, they would spare the present species, and not shower destruc- 
tion, indiscriminately, on their black friends and enemies ; at least on 
those who sometimes Tplunder them, and those who never molest or injure 
their property. * 
Species V. CORVUS PICA, 
MAGPIE. 
[Plate XXXV. Fig. 2.] 
Ard. Zool. No. 136.— Lath. Sijn. i., 392.— Buff, hi., 85. PI. Enl. 488.* 
This bird is much better known in Europe than in this country, where 
it has not been long discovered ; although it is now found to inhabit a 
wide extent of territory, and in great numbers. The drawing was taken 
from a very beautiful specimen, sent from the Mandan nation, on the 
Missouri, to Mr. Jefferson, and by that gentleman to Mr. Peale of this 
city, in whose Museum it lived for several months, and where I had an 
opportunity of examining it. On carefully comparing it with the 
European Magpie in the same collection, no material difference could 
be perceived. The figure in the plate is reduced to exactly half the size 
of life. 
This bird unites in its character courage and cunning, turbulency, and 
rapacity. Not inelegantly formed, and distinguished by gay as well as 
splendid plumage, he has long been noted in those countries where he 
commonly resides, and his habits and manners are there familiarly 
known. He is particularly pernicious to plantations of young oaks, 
tearing up the acorns ; and also to birds, destroying great numbers of 
their eggs and young, even young chickens, partridges, grouse, and 
pheasants. It is perhaps on this last account that the Avliole vengeance 
of the game laws has lately been let loose upon him, in some parts of 
* We iulil the follo-vving synonymes : — Corvus pica, Linn. Si/st. ed. 10, I./ p. 106. — 
Gmel. Si/sL I., p. 373. — Latu. Lid. Orn. p. 162. — La Pie, Bmss. Orn. vol. ii., p. 
35. — Temm. Man. d'Orn. i., p. 113. 
