MAGPIE

A common species of the Crow tribe, Corvus pica, of Linnjeus; now the type of a distinct genus, Pica caudata. They continue in pairs throughout the year and prey on a variety of food, chiefly animal, as the young of hares, rabbits, and feathered game, young poultry, eggs, carrion, and insects; lastly, fruit and grain. The magpie is celebrated for its crafty instincts, its power of imitating words, and the propensity which it has, in common with other species of the crow tribe, to purloin and secrete glit tering articles. The nest of the magpie is admirably constructed for strength and warmth, and is commonly defend ed by a dome. It lays six or seven eggs early in spring, of a yellowish-white, spotted with brown, and cineritious. In winter, magpies will a emble in great numbers to roost in some coppice towards the evening, but separate again on the approach of day. [s. 716]