72 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



would dream of attempting to rob its nest. One 

 ornithologist has put forth the brilliant suggestion 

 that the protection is against its brother magpies. I 

 cannot accept this, for I take it as an axiom that where 

 one magpie can enter, there can another. We must 

 also bear in mind that the Indian species manage to 

 thrive very well in spite of their roofless nests. 



