MAGPIE. 



67 



for Margaret, and Ma^-pie being thus a sort of sister to/ack-dsiw, 

 and Tom-tit. In Somersetshire, the bird is called the Chatter-mag. 

 It is always vigilant, and when anything excites its curiosity or 

 suspicion, as a dog, a fox, or a cat, it becomes extremely vociferous, 

 following up the intruder very perseveringly. Waterton gives a 

 curious instance of a notorious poacher having been captured by 

 this tell-tale peculiarity of the Magpie. 



An impudent presuming Pye, 

 Malicious, ignorant, and sly. 



CvNmNGKAU— Thrush and Pye. 



The Magpie chatters with delight. 



Wordsworth— 2%g Shepherd Boy. 



From bough to bough the restless Magpie roves 

 And chatters as she flies. 



GisBORNE— TTa^Zrs in the Forest. 



The restless Pye, 

 So pert and garrulous from morn to night, 

 The scandal-monger prates. 



^xsKDis,— Village Curate. 



Three centuries ago there seem to have been but few Magpies 

 in Ireland. In 1578, Derricke, who wrote " The Image of Ireland," 

 published in London in 1581, says — 



No Pies to plucke the thatche from house, 



are brede in Irishe grounde ; 

 But worse than Pies, the same to burne 



a thousande maie be found e. 



Magpies have since become very plentiful in Ireland, without 

 lessening the worse alternative, it is to be feared. 



Pope is severe on the Magpie, but with a human one in his 

 mind's eye — 



So have I seen in black and white, 

 A prating thing, a Magpie hight. 



Majestically stalk ; 

 A stately worthless animal 

 That plies the tongue and wags the tail, 



All flutter, pride and talk. 



Magpies are easily tamed, and become lively and amusing pets. 

 They can be taught to speak very distinctly ; but they are notorious 

 thieves of small bright objects, which they carry off and hide, more 

 out of pure mischief, as it seems, than from any other motive. 



