restless and noisy bird, and even when hiding from danger
can scarcely leave off its characteristic chatter. Always
vigilant, at times it becomes extremely vociferous, especially
at the sight of a dog, a fox or a cat ; and, flitting from tree
to tree, keeping of course at a safe distance, will follow
an intruder, quadruped or biped, to the limits of its haunts *.
Nearly all its food is sought on the ground, but morsels that
cannot be swallowed at once are carried away to be conveniently
and more safely managed, or hoarded against future
need. Consequently the bird is nearly always on the move,
flying up from its prey to its perch and thence back again.
In pastures it continues longer on the ground, by turns walking,
running or hopping, halting to pick over the cattle-
droppings in search of grubs which furnish it with some of
its chief supplies. When employed on the grass its long
tail is generally elevated, though often moved briskly up and
down, and its head is carried erect. By preference the Pie
seems to live in pairs all the year round, and the adults
when permitted are sedentary, seldom going far from their
home; but the young keep their parents’ company for several
weeks after leaving the nest. Sometimes larger assemblies
are seen, and the Author once counted twenty-three together
in Kensington Gardens, but these are now become rare in
England though occasionally to be observed in districts
where the species happens to be comparatively numerous.!
partridge-hawking. The magpie will always endeavour to make his way to some
strong cover ; care, therefore, must be taken to counteract him, and to drive him
to that part of the ground where the bushes are farthest from each other. It is
not easy to take a magpie in a hedge. Some of the horsemen must be on each
side of i t ; some must ride behind, and some before him ; for, unless compelled
to rise, by being surrounded on all sides, he will flutter along the hedge, so as to
shelter himself from the stoop of the falcon. Many requisites are necessary to afford
this sport in perfection—a favourable country, good hawks, and able assistants.”
* Some gamekeepers know how to profit by this telltale peculiarity. Waterton
writes of his being at the capture of a notorious poacher effected solelv bv its
means.
+ Among recent observations of the kind in England may be noticed that of
Mr. C. M. Prior (Zool. s.s. p. 4879) who saw thirty-four in a stubble-field in
November 1875; while, writing in 1876, Mr. W. A. Durnford says (op. cit.
p. 4907) that about Furness he has frequently counted as many as thirty in a
flock in December or January.
These gatherings are probably the result of the migratory
tendency possessed by the young birds of the year, and it is
unquestionable that every autumn a large number arrive in
this country. In winter also Pies are apt to congregate
towards evening, and roost together in thick woods, separating
again however during the day.
The Pie begins to breed early in spring, building in high
trees, or in hedge-rows*, and not unfrequently in low but
thick bushesf, returning to the same nest for several years in
succession, when the mass of materials accumulated will often
be enormous. The fabric is a masterpiece of ingenuity,
being wonderfully constructed for security against most
enemies. It is large and of an oval or spherical shape,
formed of stout sticks, turf and clay, piled together as a
foundation, the top of which is wrought into a deep, hollow
cup, plastered with earth on the inside, and neatly lined
with a bedding of fibrous roots and sometimes, it is said,
dry grass. The outside is further beset with smaller but
long sticks chiefly of the blackthorn, the sharp spines of
whieh project in every direction. This outwork is firmly
interwoven, and carried up above the body of the nest so as
to form a basket-like dome of somewhat looser texture over
the top. A single opening is left on the side just large
enough to give passage to the parent bird, who generally sits
with her head to the hole, ready to repel any intruder with
whom she may cope, or to quit the nest on serious alarm.
The eggs, from six to nine in number, are usually of a very
pale bluish-green, closely freckled with olive-brown over
some ash-coloured blotches, but sometimes of a light yellowish
brown with olive markings; they measure from 1*61
to P22 by from P01 to *89 in.
When taken young the Pie is easily tamed, and will soon
learn to imitate the human voice, and to perform many entertaining
tricks. If the conditions of its captivity are favourable
it will, as noticed by Dr. Bree (Zool. p. 8632), even
* It is commonly believed in parts of England, as M. de Selys Longchamps
says it also is in Belgium, that the Pies which build in hedges are smaller than
those which breed in trees.
f In countries where it is not molested it often builds under the eaves of
houses.