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HE Magpie is a very attractive bird, on 
account of its plumage, and its intelligence 
as a cage pet; but there can be no doubt at all that it 
is a very mischievous creature. It is as fond of the eggs 
and young of partridges and pheasants as the jay, and is 
equally clever at finding them. It will peck out the 
eyes of leverets and young rabbits, and then tear them 
to pieces and devour them. It will visit a farmyard, 
and pick. up a stray chicken or duckling. And it will 
also levy toll on the fruit in an orchard and the grain 
in a corn-field. This is a long list of crimes, and one cannot 
be surprised that the bird is persecuted by both the game- 
keeper and the farmer. Still, it has its redeeming qualities, 
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