132 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



this country, it is doomed to destruction by every 

 one who carries a gun. But for its sagacity, 

 which is eminently evinced in its self-preserva- 

 tion, it would be a rare bird. It has certain 

 habits which have attracted the attention of the 

 ignorant and superstitious, who look on it as a 

 bird of ill-omen, prognosticating by its appear- 

 ance the approach of death. It is, in fact, one of 

 the most susceptible of the feathered tribes, and, 

 if carefully watched, would be found an excellent, 

 guide as to weather, and might be consulted with 

 advantage touching the heat, the moisture, and 

 the general state of the atmosphere. 



Mr. Yarrell says the magpie did not formerly 

 exist in Ireland, and that it was only in the reign 

 of Queen Anne that the bird began to spread 

 generally over the kingdom that is, at the same 

 time as the introduction of frogs ; and these crea- 

 tures are sometimes spoken of traditionally as 

 having made their appearance together. Now, 

 there is no part of the world in which they both 

 thrive better than in Ireland. In France, the 

 magpie is one of the few birds that nobody seems 

 to molest, and it is, accordingly, very common 

 there. It is also regarded with peculiar favour 

 both in Norway and Sweden. 



There are many pleasing stories told of these 

 birds. The two following are of recent date : 



