212 MAGPIE.

thieving propensity of the magpie is founded Rossini’s
“La Gazza Ladra.” (The thieving magpie) in which a
girl who has parted with some trinket to support her
father, is subjected to suspicions of dishonesty under the
most cruel circumstances, in consequence of a magpie
haying secreted some of the articles and money which
had been exchanged.

Accidents of a like nature have no doubt frequently
occurred in real life, and produced many a_ painful
household perplexity. This, perhaps, is one of the causes
of the superstitions entertained respecting magpies in the
north of England, the appearance of one of whom by
itself is supposed to augur peril to the beholders. If
there are two, however, the omen is good; and four of
them announce a wedding; yet three bring a- funeral.
The peril seems to lie in the odd number. The magpie,
who is unoccupied with a companion, appears to be
thought bent on nothing but mischief.”

Let it however be remembered, that all such super-
stitious notions are idle and vain, as well as wrong, and
utterly unworthy of being for one moment entertained
either by young or old.