. A Book of ornithology, for youth. Embracing descriptions of the most interesting and remarkable birds in all countries, with particular notices of American birds . ception was complete, and it clucked and cockled like ahen. It was also taught to whistle a variety of airs. These birds build their nests in trees, constructing them of sticks lined with grass. In the morning they make a loud whistling noise high up in the trees. They do not appear to be migratory, and are found only in par- ticular places. THE MAGPIE. This vain, restless and noisy bird is about eighteen inches in length, and of
. A Book of ornithology, for youth. Embracing descriptions of the most interesting and remarkable birds in all countries, with particular notices of American birds . ception was complete, and it clucked and cockled like ahen. It was also taught to whistle a variety of airs. These birds build their nests in trees, constructing them of sticks lined with grass. In the morning they make a loud whistling noise high up in the trees. They do not appear to be migratory, and are found only in par- ticular places. THE MAGPIE. This vain, restless and noisy bird is about eighteen inches in length, and of a very beautiful plumage. The head, neck and breast are of a deep black, which contrasts finely with the snowy whiteness of the under parts. The 14* 150 THF. MAGPIE. neck feathers are very long and leave only a small spaceof a greyish ash colour, between them and the tail covertswhich are black. The plumage in general is glossed withgreen, purple and blue ; the tail is very long and in the. shape of a wedge. The under tail-coverts, thighs and legsare black. The Magpie is not at all particular in its food. It notonly feeds upon carrion, grain, and eggs, but upon worms THE MAGPIE. 151 and insects, ancUipon small birds when it has an opportu-nity to seize them. A wounded lark, or a young chickenseparated from the hen, are sure plunder, and even theblackbird is not altogether secure from attacks. With aprovidence unusual to gluttons, when satisfied for thepresent, the Magpie will lay up the remainder of the feastfor another repast. Even in a tame state, it will hide itsfood, and after a time return to the secret hoard with greatvociferation and a vigorous appetite. This bird is exceedingly insolent, and delights in insult-ing the largest animals. It is often seen perched upon theback of an ox or a sheep, picking up the insects to befound there, chattering and tormenting the poor creatureat the same time, and, if the beast turn its head back-wards, impudently stretching out i
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookidbookoforni, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1832
