MAGPIE 
PICA CAUDATA 
In the more northern counties of Scotland the Magpie appears decidedly scarce. A few pairs came under 
my observation in the south-east of Sutherlandshire ; and I have also watched a bird or two crossing the 
waters of the Kyle from the woods above Bonar Bridge to the opposite shores of Ross-shire. In the latter 
county it is not uncommon; in the neighbourhood of Tain several pairs arc to be seen, nesting in some 
instances in gardens close to the highroad. In Inverness-shire and Perthshire, the greater part of the country 
(with the exception of those portions that are let as “ forests ”) is too well looked after to suit the species*; 
still the Magpie is to he met with in certain localities. In the south of Scotland it appears by no means 
abundant; during a residence of a couple of years in East Lothian I had but few opportunities of 
studying its habits. Over England it is generally distributed ; some twenty years ago it was common in the 
east of Sussex, hut its numbers have now decreased. In Yorkshire I have observed lar<?e flocks during 
winter, having counted at times between thirty and forty keeping company in the neighbourhood of Doncaster. 
In Cornwall I met with several pairs frequenting the vicinity of the coast-line in the western division of the 
county during the autumn of 1880. 
A male of this species, which I observed flying along the Cornish coast while a fresh breeze from the east 
was blowing, exhibited a most singular method of progression. This Magpie (the only one I ever noticed 
venturing any distance off the land) was making for the rocks to the west of Lamorna Cove, and was evidently 
somewhat incommoded by the length of his tail, which was carried by the wind right underneath the body. 
The length of the caudal feathers, and the upright manner in which he was forced to proceed, rendered his 
appearance exceedingly strange. Of course it is possible that the bird might have been slightly wounded, 
causing the hind quarters to droop ; still I imagine (seldom, if ever, having seen one far from shelter during 
a strong breeze) that the Magpie must find his long and handsome tail-feathers difficult to manage if he is 
ever in the habit of migrating across the stormy ocean. 
There is, I am afraid, hut little that can he said in favour of this showy bird. At certain seasons he is 
forced to seek a living by honest means ; hut plunder, such as eggs or young birds, is always preferred when 
available. To carrion, I am of opinion, he has not the slightest objection. Having on more than one occasion 
closely watched the tactics of an old Magpie busily engaged in foraging for its newly-hatched brood, I conclude 
that, after the manner of all the Crow tribe, any small quadrupeds, such as mice or young rats, if caught in the 
open, would at once he pounced upon and seized as prey. Doubtless a considerable number of injurious 
grubs and insects are also consumed in the course of a year. 
Though the Magpie exhibits the greatest caution when aware that his actions are watched, and commonlv 
affords an immense amount of labour to those who endeavour to encompass his destruction by means of powder 
and shot, yet he speedily falls a victim to a well-laid trap baited with an egg. Early in the spring I have 
captured numbers by this bait in both the northern and southern counties. In localities where game- 
