

MAGPIE. 113 



When taken young the Magpie is easily tamed, chatters 

 to those who feed or notice him, imitates the sound of the 

 human voice, and learns many amusing tricks : the desire 

 to pilfer and hide any small shining article, observable in 

 all the birds of this family, is particularly conspicuous in 

 the Magpie, and has been made the subject of a dramatic 

 performance of an interest so intense, that few who have 

 witnessed the exhibition are likely to forget. 



The young birds of the year associate with the parents 

 for a considerable time ; and in winter these birds, in small 

 flocks, roost together in thick woods, but separate again in 

 the day. 



The Magpie, in this country, has a bad name, and is 

 accordingly doomed to destruction by every one who carries 

 a gun. But for its sagacity, eminently evinced in its self- 

 preservation, it would be a rare bird ; it is, however, very 

 common in many parts of England, particularly in the 

 wooded districts, and not much less so in other quiet park- 

 like localities, where it can have the shelter, the means of 

 observation, and the security afforded by high trees. In 

 my note-book I have a memorandum that I once counted 

 twenty-three Magpies together in Kensington Gardens. 



It is now also common throughout Ireland ; but that 

 this was not the case in that country formerly, the follow- 

 ing account, supplied me by my friend Mr. Ogilby, will 

 show : 



" The earliest notice I have met with on the subject 

 of the introduction of Magpies into Ireland is contained in 

 the following verses of old Derrick, who, in his ' Image of 

 Ireland,' says, 



' No Pies to plucke the thatch from house 



Are bred in Irish grounde, 

 But worse than Pies the same to burne 



A thousand raaie be founde/ " 

 VOL. II. I 



