THIRD DAY. 67 



crow. Piers Ploughman has something to 

 say of its structure : 



" I had wonder at whom, 

 And wher the pye lerned 

 To ligge the stikkes 

 In which she leyeth and bredeth. 

 There nys wrighte, as I wene, 

 Sholde werche hir nestes to paye ; 

 If any mason made a molde thereto, 

 Muche wonder it were." 



The pie is a beautiful and cheerful bird : 

 and though man resents severely his little 

 larcenies, he yet loves to build near a 

 homestead despite of ill-usage. 



J. The country people are at enmity, 

 I believe, with all carrion-birds, and the 

 pie is one of the most mischievous of this 

 class. 



S. All birds are occasionally mis- 

 chievous, but the good which many of 

 them perform more than counterbalances 

 the evil. Remember, I am no stickler 

 for all the prejudice and superstition of 

 my humble neighbours, who are often 



