480 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



they have the same desire, whether in the wild or domestic state, to 

 store away provisions and hide glittering objects. Their instinctive 

 habit of appropriating all sorts of plunder is one of the causes of 

 their popularity. Every one has heard the true story on which the 

 drama of The Maid and the Magpie is founded — how Ninette was 

 accused and pronounced guilty of robbing her master, and when 

 executed found to have been innocent, the true culprit being the pet 

 magpie of the house. 



The Magpie is a bold, impudent bird, which is easily put to flight 



Fig. 196. — The Rook. 



by man, but will fearlessly harass a dog, a fox, or any of the smaller 

 birds of prey. Having caused one of these to retreat, it pursues the 

 fugitive vigorously, rousing by its cries all the birds of its kind ; and 

 what with its own energy and the combined efforts of its kindred, it 

 generally succeeds in utterly discomfiting the intruder. Its action is 

 unceasing, its movement short and jerky; but it is heavy on the wing. 

 It chatters incessantly : hence Jthe proverb to "chatter like a magpie." 

 It builds its nest of withered shrubs, dry sticks, and sand, on the 

 highest branch of a lofty tree, which, as a structure, is remarkable for 

 its form, size, and solidity. This fabric has many beginnings : the 

 foundation of the last and permanent structure is laid with infinite 



