MAGPIE LORE 



J*^ In mythology she is the bird of Bacchus. 



In Germany her chattering is prophetic of coming 

 guests. 



From its thieving habits, the magpie is called the "egg- 

 lift" in Lincolnshire. 



In Scotland the perching of a magpie on a house is be- 

 lieved to foretell the death of a child. 



In Germany it is believed that witches assume magpie 

 form — or that they ride on the backs of these birds. 



In Scotland the magpie was once called the "devil's 

 bird," and was believed to have the devil's blood in his tongue. 

 If her tongue was scratched and a drop of human blood in- 

 serted, it was believed that she would receive the gift of 

 speech. 



In England, when an unlucky number of these birds 

 is seen by the superstitious, a cross is made in the air, or the 

 hat removed and a bow made to the birds, to neutralize the 

 charm. With crossed thumbs this rhyme is often repeated: 

 "I cross the magpie. 



The magpie crosses me ; 



Bad luck to the magpie. 



And good luck to me." 

 The sight, of a crow will also break the charm — or spitting 

 over the shoulder — or crossing the feet — or making the sign 

 of the cross on the breast. 



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