MEANS OF CAPTURE. 335 



beneath, the magpie was always exceptcd, for the reason that 

 the witches themselves, whilst following the behests of their 

 master, frequently assumed its form. 



Pontoppidan tells us something to the same effect. " They," 

 the magpies " feed upon carrion, and if they lay hold of 

 a very young kid, which they do sometimes, the farmer is 

 afraid to avenge himself, being of opinion, that this his neigh- 

 bour has a greater right than other birds of prey, and knows 

 how to retaliate an injury." 



Though this bird is in general left unmqlested in Scandi- 

 navia, it is subject to persecution in certain districts. One 

 manner of destroying it, as well as the crow, the raven, the 

 jackdaw, &c., is, from its simplicity and ingenuity, deserving 

 of notice. The device consists of a piece of paper, twisted 

 up in the form of an extinguisher a Strut, as it is called 

 and after that a bit of raw meat has been dropped to the 

 bottom, and the interior smeared with bird-lime, it is placed 

 in a situation frequented by the magpie. When therefore 

 the bird attempts to possess itself of the meat, the Strut 

 at once fastens about its head in such manner as effectually 

 to blind it. In this case it usually flies straight up into the 

 air, as high as it is able; but fright and exertion soon 

 exhaust its power, and down it presently comes again to 

 the ground, in many instances quite dead. 



In some places magpies, as well as the birds above enume- 

 rated, are also captured by means of fish-hooks, that after 

 being baited with a piece of meat, or other dainty of which 

 they are fond, are fastened to the boughs of trees. Com- 

 mon steel rat-traps are likewise resorted to, for effecting their 

 destruction, the precaution being taken of concealing the 



