. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . ucceeds in utterly discomfiting the intruder. Its action isunceasing, its movement short and jerky; but it is heavy on the chatters incessantly : hence the proverb to chatter like a builds its nest of withered shrubs, dry sticks, and sand, on thehighest branch of a lofty tree, which, as a structure, is remarkable forits form, size, and solidity. This fabric has many beginnings: thefoundation of the last and permanent structure is laid with i
. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . ucceeds in utterly discomfiting the intruder. Its action isunceasing, its movement short and jerky; but it is heavy on the chatters incessantly : hence the proverb to chatter like a builds its nest of withered shrubs, dry sticks, and sand, on thehighest branch of a lofty tree, which, as a structure, is remarkable forits form, size, and solidity. This fabric has many beginnings: thefoundation of the last and permanent structure is laid with infinite THE MAGPIE. 4S1 precautions to aveft observation. This care is taken, according toM. Nordmann, in order to mislead those who are spies on its actions; for It is in this last nest that the female deposits her et If this fact were clearly established, it would show a great amount of cunning inthe bird. The Magpie lays seven eggs, which the parents hatch with care,each bird sitting alternately. They show great attachment to theirprogeny, and continue to afford them protection until the young arewell advanced towards Fig. 197.—Common Magpie. The Magpie is tamed with facility, and soon becomes familiar,assiduously following its master everywhere, and eagerly seeking hiscaresses, so that it is necessary sometimes to shut it up to get rid ofits importunities. It readily learns to repeat a few words, magbeing the favourite in its vocabulary. The ability to pronouncewords is said to be increased by extending the soft fibrous slit whichbinds the lower part of the tongue to the palate. But a domesticatedMagpie, draggled and mutilated, is a miserable-looking object com-pared with the beautiful glossy bird of the thicket. The Common Magpie {Pica caudata, Fig. 197) abounds in all partsof the world. Cultivated valleys with natural or artificial woodlandson their slopes; low ground diversified with fields; pastures and it i82 REPTILES AND BIRDS. moors partially covered wit
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles, bookyear1
