THE AERIAL TRIP. 33? 



Some curious anecdotes are related in Sweden of this bird, 

 amongst which the following is not the least amusing : 



" In some high alder-trees at the banks of the river that 

 runs past Laxa Bruk, in the parish of Bodarne, and province 

 of Nerike," says the Director, C. A. Malmstrom, " several 

 magpies, from finding the situation agreeable and con- 

 venient for their purpose, had built their nests. Here for a 

 long time they remained undisturbed ; but at length an old 

 house-cat with which animal the capacity of climbing is 

 not acquired, but bestowed by nature itself instigated either 

 by voracity or by love of mischief, took it into his head not 

 only to disturb the birds in their habitation, but to destroy 

 their young. 



" Now, as in the vicinity of the river there was a building 

 used for brewing and other purposes, and amongst the rest 

 for the slaughtering of cattle, and as a quantity of offal was 

 occasionally thrown from thence into the adjoining field, not 

 only the magpies but numbers of crows were attracted to the 

 spot. It would often happen, however, that when the birds 

 were feasting away at their best, the cat would suddenly 

 make his appearance, and snatch the food from them, which 

 gave rise to many ludicrous scenes. But these his constant 

 assaults could not take place without exciting amongst the 

 birds which, although of unlike dispositions, had now 

 coalesced together a violent feeling of enmity, that at 

 length broke out into open warfare. 



"Very early one Sunday morning my bed-room being on 

 the side of the house near to the river I was suddenly 

 awakened by some extraordinary cries and screams, emanat- 

 ing in great part, it was clear, from my feathered friends ; 

 and accompanied by my servant, Carl Jonsson, who had 



VOL. II. Z 



