C. Jamaicensis, Lath. &c. Chattering Crow. Of a uniform deep black. This scarcely differs in appearance from the European carrion crow, but utters a peculiar chattering note. A native of Jamaica, where it frequents mountainous situations, and feeds principally on berries.
C. pica, Lin. Ste. Pica Euro/nra, Cm'. Pica Melano leuca, Viei11. Magpie, or Pianet, Prov. Jlagister. Black, with purple and green reflexions, the scapulars, breast, belly, and inside of the wing-feathers, white ; tail lengthen ed and cuneated. The black, especially on the feathers of the wings and tail, exhibits, in certain dispositions of the light, very fine reflexions of green, blue, purple, and violet, a circumstance of which superficial observers are little aware ; nor can he who has only examined a dirty specimen in confinement, form any adequate notion of he native beauties of the bird. It is about inches long, twenty four in extent of wing, and weighs between eight and nine ounces. The female differs from the other sex only in being somewhat less, and in having a shorter tail. Among the more remarkable varieties to which it is occasionally liable, we may notice that of whiteness, al most pure, cream, or buff colour, and white, streaked with black.
The magpie is generally diffused in England, France, Germany, Sweden, and most of the countries of Europe, and it also occurs in Asia as far as Japan, in China, as well as in Siberia, Kamtschatka, and the adjacent islands, whence it has possibly passed into the northern parts of America; for it is seen, though rarely, in Hudson's Bay, and on the borders of the Mississippi. In Europe, it is found as far north as \Vardhuis, in Lat. 71i, and as far south as but it seldom abounds in hilly regions. Being smaller than the rook, and with wings proportion ally shorter, its flight is neither so lofty nor so well sup ported; neither does it undertake long journies, but only flies from tree to tree, at moderate distances; yet it is seldom at rest for any length of time, but skips and hops about, and shakes its long tail, almost incessantly. Though naturally shv and distrustful, yet it is seldom found remote from human habitations. Magpies generally continue in pairs throughout the year, and if they sometimes unite into small flocks, it is only for some temporary purpose. They are clamorous and mischievous, reject hardly any species of animal food, or fruits, and devour grain, when nothing else is within their reach. They will prey on birds caught in snares, on nestlings, rats. field mice, young poultry, leverets, feathered game, carrion, fish, insects, &c. Lambs, and even weakly sheep, they attempt to destroy, by first plucking out their eyes. They are notorious pilferers and hoarders, and will conceal either provisions, or any glit tering objects, with great address, pushing them into a hole, until they are no longer visible. Their winter store of food is usually collected in the middle of a field, and is sometimes indicated by two of the species contending for the hoard. Though crafty, they are also familiar ; and, though naturally addicted to chatter, they are still more so when their tongue is untacked, so that, especially when takes young, they may be taught to pronounce words, and even short sentences, and will imitate any singular noise.
In their natural state, they proclaim aloud any apparent danger, insomuch that no fox, or wild animal, can appear without being noticed and hunted ; and thus even the fowler is frequently deprived of his sport; for all birds seem to know the magpie's alarming chatter. The nest, which is placed on the top of a tree, in a thick bush or hedge. and sometimes at no great distance from the ground, bespeaks much skill and artifice. The male and female work at it conjointly, or alternately, beginning in February, and usually continuing their labours for six weeks or two months. It is, for the most part, construct ed on a fork, or on a junction of branches, and composed of twigs, young shoots of trees, and a thick covering of leaves, strengthened outwardly with long and flexible sticks, plastered over with mud, the upper part being covered with thorny branches, closely matted, so as to secure a retreat from the intrusion of other birds, a hole being left in the side barely sufficient for the admission and egress of the parent birds. The inside is furnished with a sort of matrass, compOsed of the fibres of roots, wool, and other soft materials, being only six inches in diameter, whereas the whole edifice measures at least two feet in every direction. Should the eggs be destroyed, the female abandons a construction which had cost her and her partner so much trouble, and will lay a second, and even sometimes, if again disturbed, a third time, the number of eggs diminishing at each hatch. On these oc casions she does not build a new nest, but takes possession of, and refits an unoccupied one that has belonged to a rook, or else finishes one of those imperfect structures which are occasionally to be found in her neighbourhood, as if purposely reserved for cases of emergency. But, if unmolested, there is but one brood, which generally consists of seven or eight. The eggs are of a bluish or pale green, spotted with brown and cinereous. The male and female incubate alternately, and, in the coarse of about fourteen days, the young are brought forth blind, and continue so for some days. The parents rear them with great solicitude, and for a considerable length of time. During winter nights, magpies assemble in great numbers in some coppice or thicket to roost ; but they separate again in the day time. When the young are taken from the nest for training, they may be fed with bread, curdled milk, or new cheese. Their flesh is considerably inferior to that of the young rook. In almost every country, the appearance of the magpie is, in the minds of the vulgar, associated with superstitious and ominous notions. In some parts of Lorraine this bird is regarded as a witch ; in certain northern latitudes, one of them perched on the church denotes the death of the parson, or, if on the castle, that of the governor of the district ; in some parts of the north of England, a magpie, flying by itself, forebodes ill luck ; two together augur good fortune; three indicate a funeral ; four, a wedding, &c.