136 
Natural history. 
75. The Crow is a great pest to the farmers in 
the spring season, for he roots up much of the young 
corn, in order to obtain the kernel on the roots ; and 
in autumn he strips the husks from the ripe ears, 
and plucks them. 
76. He is a bird of considerable sagacity, and it 
is almost impossible to approach him with a gun. 
Even a stick of wood, if pointed towards him in the 
manner of a gun, will greatly quicken his flight. 
77. The Rook is another of the raven species, and 
is about the size of a crow, which it much resembles 
in appearance and character. They are very com- 
mon in England, where they build their nests on 
the tallest trees, close to each other, frequently in 
the midst of large and populous towns. 
THE MAGPIE. 
78. The Magpie is common in England, and in 
other parts of Europe. It is about eighteen inches 
long. The head, neck and breast are of a deep 
black, while the under parts are of a snowy-white 
colour. The plumage generally is glossed with 
green, purple, and blue, which strike the eye in 
How does he injure the Farmers 1 Is he possessed of much sa~ 
icity ? What is said of the Rook ? 
Where is the Magpie found ? Describe its appearance. 
