THE MAGPIE. 71 



Attracting attention from its peculiar chattering note, 

 the Greeks, with conscious irony, represented certain talk- 

 ative ladies as changed into magpies, a transformation which 

 they believed would sufficiently explain the reason for its 

 loquacity, and other habits peculiar to its lost sex. This 

 vocal uproar time has made no improvement in, as we see to- 

 day, 



" From bough to bough the restless magpie roves, 

 AncL chatters as he flies," 



with the same unmusical note that centuries ago induced 

 Dante to name them 



" "Wretched birds of chattering note." 



Of an extremely restless disposition, we seldom observe the 

 magpie stationary for any length of time, but either flying 

 from place to place, or perching on the roadside, and hop- 

 ping in its peculiar manner along the ground. Although 

 one of our most common birds, it is exceedingly difficult to 

 approach within shot, and at all times conducts itself with 

 such caution as if aware of its personal attractions, and, like 

 other good people in the world, the value of preserving 

 them. 



Not content with its own assured safety, it watches over 

 that of other birds. But, possessing excellent observation, it 

 discriminates their character before its protection is extended 

 over them. To the owl whom it surprises at noonday, a 

 most determined exposure is offered ; and even to the fox or 

 cat, stealing along with the very perfection of care at the 

 bottom of the ditch, the magpie becomes perfectly odious : 

 chattering and calling, it will not stop until attention is di- 

 rected to them, or, by its continued outcries, forces them to 

 leave their cover. To-day perched upon the old beech tree 

 over the farmhouse, it looks after the farmer when passing 

 him, and honours him with a chatter of recognition ; to-morrow 

 the master goes to shoot, and away " mag" flies, chattering 

 a bulletin of caution to the neighbourhood. Admirable in 

 its calculations, it waits until the farmer has just gained the 

 range of the woodquests who are luxuriating so freely upon 

 his wheat, when, raising his alarm, the plunderers escape 

 .by the vigilance of their friend the pie. The gamekeeper 

 cares not for the excuse of their being "vermin," noted 

 thieves, and of a very exceptional character, but he remem- 

 bers the loss of many a good opportunity by the vigilance of 



