242 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



plays a prominent part. The number of birds seen 

 together decides the nature of the event foreshadowed, 

 and the rules of interpretation, varying with locality, are 

 embodied in many interesting old rhymes. Other popular 

 proverbs make the Magpie the type of a senseless chatterer, 

 and thus indicate a notable trait in the bird's habits. 

 In general, however, its habits may be said to be very 

 similar to those of the other members of the Crow family. 

 In structm-e it shows its right to a place in this family, 

 but a little apart from the typical group. In appearance 

 it is a small Crow — much smaller than one would think 

 from a first glance — with a long tail and pied plumage. 

 The latter characteristic is, of course, the reason for the 

 name ' Pie,' to which the popvilar prefix ' Mag ' was added 

 so long ago that it has become as integral a part of the 

 name as 'Jack' has of Jackdaw. 



The strictness of present - day game - preserving is 

 responsible for the scarcity of the Magpie in many 

 districts, but it is on the whole quite as common a 

 species as even the disinterested bird-lover would wish. 

 For although it obtains an honest living at many times 

 of the year, at others it adopts the thieving habits 

 typical of the family. Its depredations are in no way 

 confined to game, and a pair of Pies in a district will do 

 great damage to the eggs and young of all the smaller 

 birds. Though scarce in particular places, the Magpie 

 is widely distributed throughout England and Wales; 

 but in Scotland it becomes uncommon as we proceed 

 northwards. In Ireland it was apparently unknown till 

 late in the seventeenth century. Since then it has be- 

 come common throughout. 



In winter, considerable gatherings of Magpies may some- 

 times be seen at a roosting-place ; but in the nesting season 

 the species is found in pairs. The nest is usually high up in 



