construction of its nest is well worthy of oiir attention. Think not, my readers, that the huge pile yon see in 
yonder tree is the work of an ordinary bird ; for the labours of the Crow, the Rook, the Daw, or the Jay may 
hide their diminished heads when brought in comparison with the skill of the Magpie. A minute description 
of this fabric would fill a page of this work : briefly, I may say that the foundation is composed of crossed stieks 
of various sizes; next follow shreds of hark, earth, clay, moss, or any similar material near at hand ; then 
comes a lining of fine roots and tendrils ; and lastly, a thick and impenetrable dome, which, with the nest, 
forms a spherical mass. No basket-Avork was CA^er more complete than is that part which unites the rim of 
the nest to the dome ; and Avhen the materials used are those of a cut quickset hedge, as is often the case, 
such a nest is Avorthy of being placed in a museum, large as it is ; for it Avill seiwe to shoAv that the bird has 
displayed no ordinary skill. Generally there is hut one entrance to the nest ; but sometimes there are tAvo, 
so that the bird can take adA^antage of either when disturbed in the duty of incubation. The situation of the 
nest is most varied, sometimes on the top of a high silver fir in a plantation, on an elm or other tree on the 
field-side, or in a Ioav thick thorn-hush in a hedgerow, whence the name of Hedge-Magjiie is given to those 
that choose such situations for their nest. This name, hoAvever, should be abolished; for I am certain 
that no specific differences occur in the Magpies of this eountry. I have been looking for the supjmsed 
second species from my childhood, but hm^e not yet found it ; my opinion may therefore, I hope, have some 
weight. The eggs are usually six or seven in number, of a pale-hluish white, spotted all over with ash-grey 
and two tints of greenish broAvn ; they are one inch four-and-a-half lines long, by one inch broad. The young 
generally follow their parents during the first autumn ; and it not unfrequently happens that, in those districts 
where they are not hunted down, several broods unite ; and the little flock becomes still more ornamental 
than when seen singly or, as is usually the ease, in pairs. The food of such assemblies consists principally 
of worms, grubs, and insects ; hut theyAvill readily eat carrion of any kind, and a stranded sheep or sick lamb 
must carefully guard their eyes, or a Avorse calamity may befal them. To this kind of food the eggs and 
young of the Pheasant, the Domestic Fowl, or of almost any bird, are added, if opportunities for pilfering 
them be afforded : they also consume fruits of every kind, and berries of various sorts. In its disposition it 
is prying and most inquisitive ; in actions pert and eunning ; somewhat garrulous during the months of spring, 
if anything strange, such as the discoA^ery of a sleeping Owl, a Fox, a Avired Hare, or a nest-robbing 
Squirrel excites its ire ; it then utters a peculiar chattering noise, betokening that something Avrong or 
unusual has taken place. Hold council with yourseh^es, good keepers, and spare the Magpie for the 
information he has afforded you. 
When taken young, the Magpie may be readily reared and domesticated. Confined, as it frequently is, 
in a willoAV cage, far too small for its comfort or the display of its agile actions, it exhibits a degree of 
cheerfulness and apparent happiness almost to be envied. In this limited prison it lives to amuse the humble 
cottager, who usually greets it with its eommon sobriquet of “ Mag,” or attempts to extend its vocabulary 
by more lengthened sentences, the bird sometimes acquiring the vernacular quite equal to many of the passers- 
by. In some individuals the power of mimicry is complete and very extraordinary : the mew of the cat, the 
saAvyer at his work, the young chanticleer, the Avhining dog, are each successfully imitated. 
The flight of the Magpie, though apparently laboured, is easy and graceful, but, as its rounded wings 
would indicate, is not of long duration : if assailed, however, by a Hawk or a Falcon, it displays a quickness 
of movement perhaps unequalled by any other bird ; and I believe I am right in saying that if a covert be 
gained it eould not be followed ; for, leaping from branch to branch, it dives about the wood with the utmost 
agility. A pinioned Magpie in a coppice will give half a dozen boys an appetite before they get hold of its 
Avlng or tall ; and then the punishment inflicted by its sharp-pointed bill avIII leave a lasting remembrance of 
their eapture of a Avounded Magpie. When hawking was in vogue, this was considered one of the birds 
which afforded the greatest amount of sport : see an interesting note on this subject from the pen of 
Sir John Sebright, in Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds,’ vol. ii. p. 109. 
Crown black, slightly glossed Avith purple ; remainder of the head, neck, back, and breast black ; the 
throat-feathers open in their texture, and terminating in a bristle ; scapularies, abdomen, and flanks pure 
white ; across the loAver part of the hack a band of dark grey ; upper and under tail-coverts, vent, and thighs 
black ; lesser wing-coverts black ; greater coverts, spurious wing, secondaries, and tertiaries glossed with 
blue and green ; central portion of the inner webs of the primaries pure white, their margins and the outer 
Avehs black, glossed Avith olive ; two centre tail-feathers bronzy green nearly to the end, Avhen that colour 
gradually passes into rich puiqfle, then blue, and lastly deep green ; the lateral feathers are precisely similar 
on their outer webs, but their inner webs are dxdl black, except at the tip, where they are green, like 
the outer ones, the Iridescent colouring near the tips of the feathers forming a beautiful zone ; irides dark 
hroAvn ; bill, legs, and feet black. 
The figure is of the natural size, on a branch of the Spruce Fir {Abies eoocelsn). 
