THE MAGPIE. 
333 
them: the beautiful kestrel or windhover they occasionally annoy. 
Towards the peregrine falcon they dare hardly show any imperti- 
nence, but the curiosity which I once saw exhibited by a pair of 
them towards a bird of this species, was highly amusing. A 
trained falcon at Fort William, near Belfast, on being given its 
liberty, alighted, after taking a few circuits through the air, in a 
small tree, where first one, and then another magpie, likewise 
perched, without exhibiting the least fear, and with the intention 
only, to all appearance, of examining it more closely. They gra- 
dually approached until almost touching the hawk ; one indeed 
seemed to strike it, immediately after which, they both flew to a tree 
close by, and commenced an incessant chattering. This was con- 
tinued so earnestly for some time, that it could be nothing less 
than a discussion upon the merits of the strange bird. When in the 
tree with the hawk, they maintained a respectful silence. At the 
same place, a tame magpie and a sheep of a peculiar variety, whose 
fleece hung nearly to the ground, were great friends, and generally 
associated together. The favourite perch of the bird was on the 
back of the sheep, which animal became innocently a receiver of 
stolen goods, as the magpie concealed his pilferings in the thick 
wool of its body. It sometimes hopped after the sheep, biting 
at its legs ; and, through mischief, or a natural carnivorous pro- 
pensity, was very partial to pecking at the bare heels of beggars 
who came about the house, very much, as may be supposed, to their 
annoyance. Here, also, two magpies were proficients in talking. 
One, without any teaching, learnt all the phrases of a parrot kept 
in a neighbouring cage.* The other was taught several words 
and short sentences, by their being repeated to it by its master ; 
the most comical perhaps of which was “ pretty-poll,” as passing 
strangers, on hearing the well-known words, turned round to look 
at the parrot, and saw only impudent “ mag ” instead. But any- 
* It would seem that, in a wild state also, either this species, or a nearly allied one, 
will imitate the notes of other birds. Mr. Nuttall, who, from a knowledge of the 
bird both in Europe and America, considers the common magpie of the two continents 
identical, remarks : — “ I one day observed a small flock, and among the fraternity 
heard one chattering familiarly in the varied tone of the cat-bird, as he sat on a 
bough by the water, where birds might become his prey.” — Audubon’s Ornithological 
Biography, vol. iv. p. 409. 
