Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/500

430 informed that the farmers had destroyed them all, as they considered that they (the birds) pulled up the wheat when in the "milk." I endeavoured to point out what a grave mistake had been made. It was another instance of too hasty conclusions being arrived at through faulty observation. The birds were merely searching among the sprouting grain for their favourite food of grubs and worms. A lamentable number of Magpies are destroyed every year through the careless and indiscriminate laying of poison for rabbits and sparrows. There is a certain number of agriculturists who cannot, and will not, see any good in birds, and consider that even the total annihilation of their feathered friends would have no effect on the many "pests" with which they are plagued. Not long ago a large landowner, who does not poison, picked up no fewer than 200 dead Magpies, besides other birds, that had been poisoned by his neighbours.

The food is almost entirely insectivorous; in the winter seeds and any stray grain are added to the menu. The larvæ of the Hepialid moth Oncopera intricata form its favourite diet, and about sunrise is the chief feeding time. It is very entertaining to watch a Magpie hunting for grubs; it goes about the work in such a business-like manner.

Let us watch one at work. It soon stops short and puts its head on one side, as if saying, "Now I have got you." An instant later the beak is darted down with lightning rapidity and a grub pulled out. It must not be imagined that the grubs are lying full length out of their burrows; their heads only are visible just below the surface of the ground, but quite enough for the sharp-eyed Magpie. When not engaged in seeking food, most of its time is passed among the branches of lofty trees. It moves in small flocks of from six to a dozen individuals, although occasionally far larger flocks may be seen. The largest flock I have seen recently round Launceston consisted of forty-seven birds. Round Conara (the native name for the Magpie), and other midland districts, even larger flocks may be seen.

The Magpie is of a somewhat pugnacious disposition, being always quite willing to cross swords with one of its own species or any other bird, or, if tame, does not scruple to try conclusions with a cat or dog. Hawks are its pet aversion, not an opportunity being lost to harass every one that comes near. On one