THE LADIES' MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 241 
guard. But, except expressing his fears and bestowing his abuse, he 
seldom dares to assault an intruder. We once saw a falcon flying over 
the fields, where we happened to stand observing him; at the same 
instant a magpie gave his note of alarm, and impudently rose in the air 
to abuse the falcon. But the latter, unwilling to be teased “ by such a 
popinjay,” stooped and struck the magpie fluttering and wailing to the 
ground, and then pursued his course as if nothing had happened. The 
poor astonished and wounded Mag with the greatest difficulty struggled 
into the nearest hedge, with a lesson he would not soon forget. Magpies 
are frequently tamed, and even taught to speak; but unless they are 
caged, they are noisy and great plagues about a house. 
The Jay (Corims glandarius ).—This bird has somewhat of the manners 
of the magpie, and is also an alarmist, but is rather more modest in his 
behaviour. The plumage is beautifully varied, and the crown of the head 
is covered with long feathers, which the bird can raise like a crest at 
pleasure, and which gives it a very animated look. The chief food of the 
jay is acorns and beech-mast, or any kernelled or small fruit. These birds 
also eat insects and their larvae, when other food is scarce. Their shallow 
nest is made mostly on the horizontal branches of dwarfish trees, eight or 
ten feet from the ground; a holly or fir-tree is preferred. The jay has 
much modulation of voice; his scream of fear is harsh and discordant; 
but when in a complacent mood he attempts to sing, and though without 
method, he introduces such a variety of notes as is quite diverting to a 
musical ear. His song is a p. p. fantasio, in the recitative style; and he 
may not be unaptly called the Paganini of the woodland choir. The jay 
is often caged and taught to speak, which some of them do very articu¬ 
lately. 
The Royston Crow (Corvus cornice) has an ash-coloured head and 
body, and black wings and tail. The bird migrates, and never appears 
in great numbers. 
The Cornish Chough (Corvus graculus ).—These birds are somewhat 
larger than the Royston crow, the length being about sixteen inches. They 
are known by their orange-coloured bill and legs. They are frequent in 
Cornwall and Wales, but seldom seen in other parts of the kingdom. 
The Nutcracker (Corvus caryocatactes) is a curiously-marked bird, 
the body brown, speckled with white; wings and tail black; the latter 
tipped with white. A very rare bird in this kingdom. 
The above are the species of the genus Corvus known in this island. 
Some of them are useful as scavengers, others as insect-eaters. A few are 
occasionally mischievous, but they only prompt man to his duty, and 
therefore could not well be spared. 
VOL. i.—NO. VIII. i i 
