206 JACK AT CHURCH. 



and every spring they carefully repaired their fortress, using for 

 the purpose rough, strong, prickly sticks, which sometimes re- 

 quired the assistance of both the birds together before they could 

 be adjusted in their proper places. In this way the nest was 

 surrounded with such a formidable chevaux-de-frise as to be 

 secure not only against the attacks of foxes, cats, hawks, and 

 other predatory creatures, but even of more important foes, for 

 without a hedge-knife, bill-hook, or something of the sort, even a 

 man would have had great trouble to get at the young. 



We must not conclude our account of the Magpie without 

 some notice of its imitative and loquacious powers, and of the 

 ridiculous use to which it sometimes turns them. A book might 

 be written on the subject ; but one story must suffice for us here. 

 It is pleasantly told by the writer of a series of most agreeable 

 papers on birds in " Eraser's Magazine " for 1857, and pertinently 

 illustrates the truth of Sydney Smith's observation, that what- 

 ever powers of oratory a parson may possess he loses all com- 

 mand over his audience the moment a bird makes its appearance 

 in the church. 



It was certainly the case when Jack, a Magpie well known in 



the village of , in the county of Kent, for his mischievous 



propensities, entered the village church in the afternoon of Sun- 

 day, July 25th, 1852, during the time of divine service. The 

 rogue hopped quietly in at the open door, and for a time sur- 

 veyed the congregation, recognizing many a friend who was wont 

 to greet him with words of kindness and familiarity ; but upon 

 this occasion Jack was surprised at finding that no notice was 

 taken of him. At last he seemed determined that he would not 

 be thus overlooked, and down the middle aisle he marched, knock- 

 ing at the door of each pew, and announcing his presence with a 

 clear, loud " Here am I !" This move had the desired effect, 

 for in a very few moments every eye was turned upon our 

 hero. The worthy parson finding himself in a decided minority, 

 and perceiving broad grins coming over the before solemn faces 

 of his flock, at once stopped the service, and desired the clerk to 

 eject the intruder. But the order was more easily given than 

 executed. Jack was determined not to leave, and so, finding 

 himself pursued, took refuge in a forest of legs belonging to his 

 young friends the school children, who did not appear at all un- 

 willing to give him shelter. The clerk rushed on, intent upon 



