|The magpie is very watchful and cunning. Its colors are black, white,
and blue, and its cry is harsh and unpleasing. Its tail, which is
always in motion, is quite long, and its flight is heavy because of the
shortness of its wings.
It builds its nest in high trees, towers, and church-steeples. The nest
is made of strong twigs and is plastered inside with mud. It lays six or
seven eggs, whitish gray in color, mottled and dashed with black.
[Illustration: 0149]
The magpie is easily tamed, is a good mimic, and can be taught to say
a few words; but when tamed it is apt to become too familiar. It is
a great thief, and will cany off small articles, especially such as
sparkle. Thimbles, ear-rings, silver spoons, bows of ribbon, and pieces
of lace have been often found in the nest of the magpie. Children and
servants have been charged with taking them, when the magpie was the
real thief.
A lady once owned a pet magpie. It would perch upon her shoulders and
thrust its bill between her lips, to feed her with ripe cherries, just
as she sometimes fed him. But what was her surprise and disgust when
one day, instead of a cherry, he dropped a large green fat worm into her
mouth.
--FRANK H. STAUFFER.