Greg Curry, age 12, of Santa Rose, Calif., for his question:

CAN A MAGPIE BE TAUGHT TO SPEAK?

Magpie is a bird that belongs to the same family as the crows and the jays. The birds delight in imitating other birds, notes. Magpies can be tamed and taught to speak simple syllables.

The black billed magpie lives in western North America from Mexico to Alaska. The yellow billed magpie lives only in California. Other kinds of magpies live in Europe and Asia.

The black billed magpie is black with white feathers on the underparts and wing tops. Its long tail narrows at the tip. Its bill is heavy and black.

Magpies eat almost all kinds of food, including the eggs and young of other birds. Their bulky nests are domed over and have an opening in the side. A magpie usually places its nest in thorny bushes for added protection. The female lays five to 10 grayish white eggs spotted with brown and tan.

The maximum life span of the magpie is about 12 years.