. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. Birds; Reptiles. JAYS. 509 plains fenced in with wooded hedgerows, and studded with farm- houses and cottages, are the type of landscape they prefer. In spring plumage the Magpie is a fine bird, the feathers of the back being of velvety .black, while the breast and a part of the wings are pure white. In the Brazils and Paraguay we find another species, whose whole plumage is a fine cerulean blue, with the exception of the. ^^^m. Fig. 217.—Common Magpie {C
. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. Birds; Reptiles. JAYS. 509 plains fenced in with wooded hedgerows, and studded with farm- houses and cottages, are the type of landscape they prefer. In spring plumage the Magpie is a fine bird, the feathers of the back being of velvety .black, while the breast and a part of the wings are pure white. In the Brazils and Paraguay we find another species, whose whole plumage is a fine cerulean blue, with the exception of the. ^^^m. Fig. 217.—Common Magpie {Corvuspica, Linn.). head and throat, which are black. In China there is also a Mag- pie of beautiful cobalt-blue plumage ; its two centre tail feathers are very long, barred with black, and tipped with pure white; the biU and legs are red. It is extremely shy, and occasionally seen in flocks. By the inhabitants it is frequently taught to speak. The Jays {Corvus glandarius) have short biUs, which are slightly notched at the tip; head rather large; feathers on the upper and anterior part of the head erectile when the bird is irri- tated ; those feathers at the base of the upper mandible are stiff, with short barbs. It is not less shy than other members of the family, although it frequents gardens, where it feeds on beans and peas, of which it seems to be particularly fond. Its food, however, is not confined to fruit and vegetables, as it picks up worms, insects, the eggs of small birds, and Crustacea, after the manner of Crows and Magpies. Naturally irascible and quar-. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Figuier, Louis, 1819-1894; Gillmore, Parker, ed. Springfield, Mass. , W. J. Holland
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecad, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles
