94 Craigmillar and its Environs. 



nature generally asserts itself, and declines to be 

 governed by artificial expedients. 



Magpies are plentiful in the neighbourhood, and 

 are most interesting though mischievous birds. They 

 are very destructive to the eggs and young of game, 

 as well as to birds of the singing class. They are 

 long-lived, though reliable statistics of their longevity 

 are difficult to acquire. A very amusing pet, locally 

 known as the "Liberton Magpie," has been kept for 

 a number of years now in semi-captivity, and as its 

 history is interesting, a short account of this bird is 

 here given. 



In the spring of 1881 Mr Kerr, the postmaster 

 at Liberton, found a young magpie which had 

 dropped from a nest in the Kingston Grange wood, 

 and was unable to fly. Taking it home, he attempted 

 to feed it, but for two days it could not be induced 

 to open its mouth. On the third day it was compelled 

 by hunger to accept the proffered food, and after 

 partaking of it, seemed at once to become reconciled 

 to its new circumstances. In a short time it became 

 very tame, and much attached to the postmaster's 



