,, S.A. NAT., VOL. XV. 
30. Nov. 30th, 1933. 
I should like to mention one or two points that, in the whole 
incident, were, to us, outstanding. The first is the wonderfully 
plucky struggle put up by the hen in the face of her great 
adversity, and the instinct that showed her where to come to 
find food and rest. The second is the unfailing devotion shown 
by the cock bird during the whole time. He would come into 
the yard and warble away—in our imagination practically asking 
for food for his mate. He became particularly tame, and while 
she was absent for two or three weeks would do practically 
anything to get food. I would also add that at no time did we 
attempt to get close to either bird, as we were afraid we might 
frighten them. We still have “our” magpies, and words cannot 
describe the pleasure this gives to us after the anxiety with 
which we watched their struggle. 
Perhaps one little incident that happened prior to the bird 
breaking her leg may be interesting. Mrs. James heard the 
magpies singing, and on looking saw them both on the ground 
:jbout five yards from the laughing jack, who had just been fed, 
and had left some meat on his perch. One of the magpies would 
go in a little closer and the jack would just straighten up and 
back would go maggie. 1 his went on for some minutes—the 
magpies singing all the time. Then suddenly the hen bird went 
around behind the jack, and while the cock bird held his attention 
from the front, walked in very close to the perch. Without anv 
warning the hen bird darted in and pulled the jack by the tail, 
and as she did so the cock bird darted in and picked up the meat 
and off they went. The hen bird pulled hard, toe* as she 
nearly brought the jack to the ground. How the magpies 
ai ranged that piece of strategy I do not know, but it certainly 
shows the intelligence they have. 
