412 THE MAGPIE. 



the table, secured the red leathern spectacle-case, and was out of the glass door with the 

 most noiseless wing, and with a very graceful motion. 



I remained quiet, resolved to see the end of the joke. After a few seconds' absence. 

 Jack' was again at his post, eyeing the old gentleman with a most inquisitive and yet 

 business-like glance ; it was nearly impossible to resist the ludicrous impression produced 

 by the entire scene. At length off came the spectacles, and out came the pocket-handker- 

 chief and snuff-box ; quick as thought Jack had visited the table and was out of the open 

 door with the prize, which I have no doubt had from the beginning been the object of 

 his covetous admiration while they were on the nose of the old gentleman. This time 

 the Magpie did not return, either because he found it more difficult to reach his store- 

 house with the spectacles than with the case, or because, having gained the object of his 

 ambition, he conceived his presence no longer necessary. 



At length, the period of rumination having elapsed, the old gentleman was about 

 replacing the spectacles. As soon as his surprise had abated at not finding them with his 

 hand beside him on the table, he removed the chair and groped about on the carpet, then 

 raised the book and examined every part of the table. Not being able to restrain 

 myself any longer, I exploded in laughter, and of course I was instantly suspected of 

 playing off a practical joke, and charged with taking the spectacles, but at length 

 succeeded in convincing him that I had never risen from the sofa on which I reclined. 

 After a good deal of laughing, and two or three other members of the family having 

 been attracted to the room by the hubbub, I was compelled under cross-examination to 

 own that I had witnessed Jack's abstractions. 



The question then became serious how the articles were to be recovered, and some 

 person suggested to leave a teaspoon near him and watch him. This was accordingly 

 done, but his motions were so rapid that he eluded us all, seeming at first to pass completely 

 over the house. At length, by placing two or three persons in favourable positions, he 

 was ' marked ' in a leaden valley between a double part of the roof, and this having been 

 closely searched, a deposit was discovered, not only of the things which Jack had that day 

 carried off, but also of some articles which had been for some time supposed to be lost, 

 but respecting which a breath of suspicion as to him had never been entertained. This 

 day's successful foray led to his losing his entire store, no doubt in the midst of his 

 triumphant rejoicing." 



Although imported into Ireland at a comparatively late period, the Magpie has taken 

 complete possession of that island, and is found in very great numbers, four or five being 

 often seen within a few hundred yards of each other. The beautiful wings of this bird are 

 much sought after for the purpose of being dried, flattened, and mounted on hand-screens ; 

 the two wings being mounted with their external quills together, so as to form a screen 

 of a heart-like shape. 



Many superstitious ideas have always been current respecting the Magpie, its appear- 

 ance singly, doubly, or trebly being held as an omen of bad or good luck, and various pre- 

 dictions being made from the direction in which it appeared to the observer. Excepting 

 the illiterate, however, there are few in our land who now give any credence to such 

 tales ; but in many other countries these doctrines are held by high and low alike. In 

 the latter part of 1860, an official despatch was presented to the Chamber of Deputies at 

 Dresden, requesting a supply of Magpies for the purpose of manufacturing a powder all- 

 potent against epilepsy. Great stress was laid upon the two points, that the birds must 

 be neither deficient in claws nor feathers, and that they must be shot between the 24th 

 of December and the 18th of January. This extraordinary document was not only 

 presented and read in good faith, but was backed by many noble names. 



The plumage of this bird is remarkably handsome both in colour and form. The 

 head, neck, back, and upper tail-coverts are deep black, with a slight green gloss in 

 certain lights ; and the same colour is found on the chin, the throat, the upper part of the 

 breast, and the base, tips, and outer edges of the primary quill-feathors. The secondaries 

 are also black, but with a blue gloss, which becomes peculiarly rich on the tertials and 

 wing-coverts. The inner web of the primaries is white for a considerable portion of its 



