MAGPIE
preserving is neglected, this usually wary species it by no means shy j it is probable Hurt constant persecution
alone accounts for its almost habitual distrust.
T was much amused by tile cunning displayed by a female Magpie, who for some time had successfully
defied all attempts of a keeper who was bent on hoc destruction. I happened one day to meet the man while
on his way to watch the nest; and bearing shortly after a couple of shots in the direct ion lie had taken, I made
my way towards the spot. At length I found him beneath a high tree, to the topmost branches of which
he pointed exultingly, declaring the bird was dead in the nest, lie stated that almost immediately he had
taken up his position, the female Magpie came in sight, and after dodging about for a few minutes she made
a straight dash for the nest, and disappeared from sight before he could take aim. Finding it impossible to
start the bird by means of sticks or stones or striking the stem of the tree, he tired one barrel at the nest,
hoping to stop her by the second as she came out. Nothing beyond a slight fluttering in the nest (which I
suspect was only imaginary) resultim; from the shot, be came to the conclusion he had at last accomplished
his task. In order, however, to make doubly sure, he fired the second barrel; and no signs of the bird being
visible, he was now perfectly convinced of his success. I eventually learned that his suppositions had proved
erroneous. On meeting the man again a w eek or so later, he informed me thai be had been forced to devote
another half day to lying in wait for this troublesome egg-stealer before he finally irot rid of her. It appears
that the bird must have escaped both of the shots fired at the nest, and had (imply refused to stir. Probably
her past experiences had enabled her to become acquainted with her assailant, and she had formed a pretty
correct estimate as to the shooting-powers of both man and gun.
The pertinacity with which Ibis species will at times continue to return to some favourite breeding-station
after constant interruption would scarcely he credited by those who have not witnessed the fact. In a small
clump of three or four beech trees, standing in a valley among steep bills in one of the southern counties, there
is every Spring a Magpie's nest. Invariably one or other of the old birds is shot by the keepers ; and although
a second may be killed, it nol unfrequently happens that a brood succeeds in escaping. Whatever may have
been the slaughter effected during the preceding season, the old clump has hitherto been regularly tenanted by
a pair of Magpies each succeeding spring.
While crossing the downs near Lewes, in company with a keeper, about the middle of May 1S"2, my
attention was attracted by the curious actions of a Magpie. The bird (a fine male) was flying past at a
great height, when he suddenly wheeled round and pitched straight down into a stunted thorn bush standing
in a small patch of furze. As we were not above the distance of seventy or eighty yards, and plainly in view
on the bare hill-side, 1 imagined the bird must have detected some particularly inviting prey concealed in the
cover. In hopes of discovering the cause of this strange performance I approached as quietly as possible, at the
same time sending the man round to the opposite side in order that the bird should not escape unobserved.
The bush was not above eight or feu feet high, and the furze but a small patch, perhaps half a dozen yards
across ; still for some time we were unable to catch sight of the bird, which was eventually discovered skulking
in the bottom of the thorn bush. For some unaccountable reason he resolutely refused for several minutes
to make an attempt to escape, crouching down among the branches and eroopimr behind the slems of furze
to avoid the stones aimed at him by tin* keeper. At last he was forced from the scanty cover, and took
wing w ithiu a yard or two of where I was standing. As I was in want of a good specimen, I shot the bird,
which proved to he in most perfect plumage. For at least an hour we closely searched the patch of furzo
and all the surrounding grass without discovering the slightest signs of a nest or any unfledged young.
There was not a vestige of any prey that could possibly have been an attraction and caused him to check his
flight so suddenly. Though it never occurred to me at the moment, I have little doubt that a Peregrine
was the cause of this strange behaviour. The sun was shining brightly at the time, and it was almost
impossible to look upwards, Wc had only just caught sight of the .Magpie, when he instantly dashed down
MAGPIE.
and was hidden from view in the bush. The Falcon might have been within a short distance without
attracting our notice".
The nest is a large and conspicuous structure, placed at times in some lofty tree, and occasionally in a low
bush or hedge-row. In country districts I have now and then heard it affirmed that the Hedge-Magpie
i- a distinct race. The supporters of this view assert that the bird is smaller than the Magpie that resorts
to high woods. My own opinion, of course, agrees with the usual judgment, viz. that the British Islands
contain but one species.
I have never heard of the Magpie attempting to cross Ibe Xorlh Sea; and it seems by nature unfitted
for long journeys. i was, however, somewhat astonished, when living in the ej-1 of Hc-sshire, lo notice
the confiding hahils of a few pairs that nested in close proximity to the town of Tain. 1 particularly
rcmtirked that their manners and customs most closely resembled those of then- Scandinavian cousins;
indeed in no part of Great Britain have I met with Magpies so regardless of the presence of human
beings. It is true that they did not, like their kinsmen on the opposite coast of Norway, place their
nests on the dwelling-houses themselves; hut they built in small trees in the gardens, and showed little
more respect for passers-by than this spreies exhibits in the outskirts of Christian is and in several of the
neighbouring towns and villages.
• Whili-' [In. ;[lmr,, iuv L^IIJ.li « .1- ii'e-IRIL' ::in [ti" ]TI 1 lu].] I-.l 1 ) jOi^lil II|N ITI an aruiunl L,f ;in uin|in sii.n ILL!. R;,-,,i.h,] I .• .;, 11
termed " MLGPIFRTIMRKIIIG." Thi- ilewription prcn of the •clioiuof the bunted bird to closet} resemble lliose at the HWLLWIH I obtniiied Ihal t AM
convinced n Peregrine must hive been the cause of the sudden descent of this TFIGPFE into the thick cover, and NL-n o( in LABSEFMM di-iii.liiiii'ii.N
to wet solely by flight.