192 
NATURAL HISTORY 
is attracted by glittering objects, and has been known to 
pull from the fire lighted pieces of wood to the no small 
danger of the house. 
Magpie. Carvus Pica . Lath. PI. 30.) Its length is 
about eighteen inches. Bill strong and black; eyes ha- 
zel; the head, neck, and breast are of a deep black, 
which is finely contrasted with the snowy whiteness of 
the under parts; the neck feathers are very long, extend- 
ing down the back, leaving only a small space, of a gray- 
ish ash colour, between them and the tail coverts, which 
are black; the plumage in general is glossed with green, 
purple, and blue, which catch the eye in different lights; 
the tail is very long, and wedge-shaped; the under tail- 
coverts, thighs and legs, are black; on the throat and part 
of the neck there is a kind of feathers, mixed with the 
others, resembling strong whitish hairs. 
This beautiful bird is every where very common in 
England; it is likewise found in various parts of the Con- 
tinent, but not so far north as Lapland, nor farther south 
than Italy: it is met with in America, but not commonly, 
and is migratory there. It feeds like the crow, on al- 
most every thing animal as well as vegetable. The fe- 
male builds her nest with great art, leaving a hole in the 
side for her admittance, and covering the whole upper 
part with a texture of thorny branches, closely entangled, 
thereby securing her retreat from the rude attacks of 
other birds: but it is not safety alone she consults; the 
inside is furnished with a sort of mattrass, composed of 
wool and other soft materials, on which her young re- 
pose: she lays seven or eight eggs, of a pale green co- 
lour, spotted with black. 
The magpie is crafty and familiar, and may be taught 
to pronounce words, and even short sentences, and will 
imitate any particular noise which it hears. It is ad- 
dicted, like other birds of its kind, to stealing, and will 
hoard up its provisions. It is smaller than the jackdaw, 
and its wings are shorter in proportion; accordingly its 
flight is not so lofty, nor so well supported: it never un- 
dertakes long journeys, but flies only from tree to tree, at 
moderate distances. 
