MAGNUSSON. 694 MAGRATH. are now lodged. A cuiiipli-te catalogue of the collection, with a biography of Maguusson and other related matter, has been published by the present custodian, Dr. Kr. Kaalund (1888-94). Although Magnusson published some historical works, he is ehielly remembered as a collector. He died on a visit to Iceland, January G, 1730. MA'GO (Lat., from (ik. Hdyui', MuyOn) . A name common in Carthaginian history. The most famous of those who boie it was Mago, the son of Haniilcar Barca, a younger brother of Hanni- bal. He participated in the invasion of Italy and after the battle of Canme opposed the Koman armies in Spain for many years. In n.c. 206 he crossed over into Liguria, but was defeated in a battle there, and on the way home died of his Avounds (B.C. 203). MAGOF'FIN, Beriaii (1815-85). An Ameri- can politician, born in Harrodsburg, Ky. He graduated at Centre College, Danville, Ky., in 1835, and at the law school of Transylvania Uni- versity in 1838, after which he began to practice at JacUson, Miss. In 1850 he returned to Har- rodsburg. was elected to the State Senate and became an active leader of the Union branch of the Democratic party. lie was defeated for Lieu- tenant-Governor in 1855, but in 1859 was elected Governor for a four years' term. He was a strong advocate of the 'Crittenden compromise,' and after the actual beginning of hostilities at- tempted in vain to secure Kentucky's neutrality, and to prevent her citizens from taking any part in the war on either side. He refused to pay any attention to Lincoln's first call for troops, and followed his refusal by proclamations prohibiting recruiting in Kentucky for either Federal or Con- federate armies. He sent public letters to both Lincoln and Davis, stating his position, and de- manding that both withdraw their troops from the State. In the spring of 1802 the State Legis- lature passed a resolution over his veto asking him to issue a proclamation against the entrance into the State of Confederate troops. He com- plied, but in the following August, recognizing that his position was untenable and his power gone, he called a special session of the Legisla- ture and resigned. He was a member of the State Legislature for several terms after the war. MA'GOG (in the Old Testament). See GoG AND MaCOG. MAGOG. A town of Stanstead County, Que- bec, Canada, at the outlet of the river of the same name from the north end of Lake Mem- phremagog, 18 miles southwest of Sherhrooke (Map: (Juebce. D 5). It is a favorite angling resort, has daily steamer communication with Newport, and is a station on the Canadian Pacific Kailway. PojiuLition, in 1891, 2100; in 1901, 3516. MAGOT. The Barbary ape. See Macaque. MAGPIE (variant of maf/otpie, from Mnri, Magot, abbreviation of Mortiaret + pie, OF., Fr. pic, from Lat. pica, magpie, either from piitr/ere, to paint, in allusion to its spotted hue, or con- nected with xpicere, to spy, and ultimately with provincial Eng. spcipht, woodpecker). Somewhat intermediate between jays and crows and closely related to both is the genus Pica, the species of which are known, wherever English is spoken, as magpies. In size and coloration magpies re- semble small crows, while in many other re- spects they are more like the jays. Their most prominent external character is the long, gradu- ated tail, which is sometimes longer than head and body together, and the outer feathers of which are scarcely half the length of the middle pair. The best-known species of the genus is the common magpie of Europe {Pica pica), of which a very closely allied form, known as the black- billed magpie (variety Hudsunicu) , is abundant in Western North America, except California, ranging as far east as Manitoba and Minnesota, and northward to the North Saskatchewan River. (See Plate of Jay.s, ^Magpies, etc.) Tliis bird is rather more than 15 inches long and about 2 feet across the extended wings. The color is lustrous black with green, violet, and purple, sometimes even golden iridescence. The lower parts, a patch on each shoulder, and portions of the wings are white. The bill and feet are black. A very similar species (Pica Xuttalli) is found in California, but is easily distinguished by the bright j-ellow bill and naked space about the ej'c. Magpies generally go in pairs and are remarkable for their sh'ness and cunning in es- caping observation. When in small flocks, thej' are bolder and more noisy. The cry is loud, harsh, and unmusical, but when the bird is alone it is usually silent. It is verj' clever in hunting and securing its food, which consists of almost anything eatable, though, like the jays, it is especially fond of eggs and young birds. On this account magpies are constantly hunted and killed by gamekeepers; but in many places these birds are encouraged to come about houses because of their bright, saucy habits, and hand- some plumage. The nest of the magpie is a most remarkable structure, nearly as large as a bushel basket, placed in thick shrubbery. The top and outside is made up of interwoven thorny branches, within which is the nest proper, composed of earth and lined with fibres and grass. There is an opening on each side so that the long tail rests in the one at which the bird enters, while it can wlien neces- sary escape at the other without turning. The eggs are from five to nine in numljer, pale drab, dotted, dashed, and blotched with purplish brown. The magpie is easily tamed and soon becomes very familiar and may sometimes be taught to articulate a few words, but, like the crow, it is a troulilesome pet, for it is a sneak thief of the same stamp. In the Old World the common magpie occurs in Silseria as well as in most parts of Europe, and there are several other Asiatic members of the genus. The so-called 'blue mag- pies' are natives of the Old World and belong to the genus Cyanopolius, but they are quite as much jays as magpies. There are only two species, which are very similar, though one is confined to the Spanish Peninsula, while the other occurs in Eastern Asia and .Japan. The name 'blue magpie' is also given sometimes to the very long-tailed jays of the genera Calocitta and Urocissa. the former a Central American, the latter an Oriental group. Various birds of pied plumage not magpies at all are sometimes called so, as the mottled owl, a 'magpie robin,' 'magpie shrike,' etc. Consult: Coues, Birds of the NoHhwesit {'Was- ington, 1874), and the authorities there cited; Keyser. Birds of the Rockies (Chicago, 1902). MAGRATH, ma-grfith'. WiLLiAjr (1838-). An American Landscape and figure painter, born
