THE MAGPIE AND THE JAY 249 



them to be used again, but after seeing scores 

 of new nests built spring after spring, and having 

 only found one case of an old nest being repaired, 

 I think that, far from being the rule, it is quite 

 the exception. 



The magpie's eggs are like those of the black- 

 bird, only larger, but vary considerably in tint 

 and markings. They are generally laid towards 

 the middle of April, by which time the bulky 

 nest has been finished and everything is ready 

 for the great business of the year. The clutch 

 is usually five or six in number, but more may 

 be met with. The hen soon begins to incubate 

 the eggs, and, secure in her thorny fortress, does 

 not quit them for any slight alarm. It is 

 surprising what an amount of noise she will put 

 up with before she flies off. There was a nest 

 in a very high fence which I believed was occupied, 

 and to make sure I hit the stem of the hawthorn 

 with my stick, which had no effect whatever ; 

 my light taps became heavy blows, yet still 

 nothing happened. However, I was convinced 

 that there was a magpie at home, so got hold of 

 a main branch and began to shake the bush. 

 After an extra vigorous shake I looked up to 

 see if anything was happening above, looked 

 up, unfortunately, at the very moment that the 

 magpie had decided she could stand no more, 

 and was about to leave. My intention was to 

 call to my companion that we had made a 

 mistake, and there could not be anything in the 

 nest, but my remark was never uttered, for as 



