A gentleman had a fine setter-dog who was accustomed to take
his daily bone, with due allowance of meat adhering, to the
lawn to enjoy at his leisure. On one occasion he observed
several magpies planning to get a share of the dainty. They
quietly approached the dog and placed themselves one at the
head, about two feet from the animal, who was too busy to notice
them, a second near the tail, and one or two by his side. When
all were placed, the bird near the dog’s tail gave a sudden
nip to that member. The dog, of course, wheeled to catch the
offender, who fled, while his hungry comrades rushed to the
bone, hastily snatching what they could. The fleeing magpie led
the outraged dog to some distance, drawing him on by fluttering
as if injured, without really taking flight.--OLIVE THORNE
MILLER, “The Bird Our Brother.”
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