"In spire or looped and windowed tower Of hallowed fane their nestling bower. In caverned cliff beside the sea, Or hollow of the woodland tree;--"
But occasionally they descend, when nature
"Prompts them in the waste to roam And seek a subterranean home, The burrowing rabbit's haunt, and there Of sticks and matted wool prepare Their dwelling, and produce their race, In that unlikely dwelling-place."
_Pica caudata_, _Pica melanoleuca_, and _Corvus pica_ are the several names given by naturalists to this bird; the first word is Latin, and means simply a pie; in the same language _caudus_ signifies a tail, and a splendid tail our handsome Magpie possesses, long and broad, and like the beautiful pinions, all shot with green and purple reflections. _Melanoleuca_ is compounded of two Greek words, meaning black and white, and no one can deny that this is very appropriate, although it is not so commonly used as the former name. The third title may be translated the Crow-Pie; indicating the particular genus and species of Mag the merry. No member of the Crow family puts on so resplendent a dress as this; beautifully do the snowy shoulders (scapulars naturalists would say) and belly, contrast with the rich velvety black of the back, breast, head, and neck. Rich is the sheen of emerald and amethyst which plays about the tail and wings, as the latter are spread out in the sunshine, and the former flirts up and down with a quick vibrating motion. And such a droll fellow, too, is Mag, every now and then you would think he were dancing, or imitating some fine lady or courtly beau; he steps or hops along in such an odd, fantastic manner. Yes, a droll fellow, but a sad thief; it is not safe to leave a gold chain, or a ring, or a silver spoon in his way; up into the old church steeple it is sure to go, if it is not buried in some out-of-the-way corner, all among the moss, and dead leaves, and decayed wood, which have accumulated there for centuries. We all remember the old story of the Maid and the Magpie; and how nearly the poor girl suffered death for the loss of the silver spoons stolen by the bird, who, however, was not so guilty after all, for he did not know that the loss of the glittering objects which attracted his attention, would be attended with such serious consequences. He had no sense of right and wrong to guide him as my readers have, and had never been taught the great commandments--"Thou shalt not covet!" and "Thou shalt not steal!"
