MAGPIE. 
249 
different picture of the bird these accounts ex- 
hibit, when compared with the watchful bird in 
this country, which will not permit an approach 
within at least sixty yards. Its food is similar to 
that of the true Crows, carrion forming the 
smallest portion of it ; like the Jackdaw, it is 
much given to plunder the nests of other birds 
which do not possess sufficient strength to combat 
the aggressor. 
In geographical distribution the range is ex- 
tensive. It is frequent in temperate countries 
where the locality is suitable, and reaches con- 
siderably to the north. It extends, we believe, 
to Northern Asia. According to Temminck’s 
Supplement, it is widely spread over the Morea, 
while in Japan it is exactly the same with the 
bird of Europe.* It seems also to be found in 
the interior of China, though to what extent we 
are ignorant.^ In America the bird was described 
by Wilson, but specimens brought home by the 
Arctic expeditions were considered distinct, and 
named C. Hudsonicus by Mr Sabine, in which 
state the Prince of Musignano in his latest com- 
parative view is still inclined to keep them. We 
have compared a northern specimen, but do not 
perceive differences sufficient to entitle separa- 
tion, and by all our modern ornithologists, with 
the exception above named, we are borne out in 
this view. Dr ltichardson states it as a resident 
* Temm. Mon. Supp. p. 63. 
t North. Zool. ii. p. 292, note. 
