Magpies I love and admire them - they are simple charming birds

11th November 2015

A lot of magpies live at my place. I admire them walking dog. Today it is Independence Day so I have much moere time to take them some photos while are eating,

They are lovely birds. And always in fashion - white and black is elegant suit!!

Here the great company crow and magpie..

Here and intersting facts from Wiki

Traditions and symbolism

Europe

In Europe, magpies have been historically demonized by humans, mainly as a result of superstition and myth. The bird has found itself in this situation mainly by association, says Steve Roud: "Large blackbirds, like crows and ravens, are viewed as evil in British folklore and white birds are viewed as good," he says.^] In European folklore the magpie is associated with a number of superstitions^] surrounding its reputation as an omen of ill fortune. In the 19th century book, A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar, a proverb concerning magpies is recited: "A single magpie in spring, foul weather will bring". The book further explains that this superstition arises from the habits of pairs of magpies to forage together only when the weather is fine. In Scotland, a magpie near the window of the house is said to foretell death.

In Britain and Ireland a widespread traditional rhyme, One for Sorrow, records the myth (it is not clear whether it has been seriously believed) that seeing magpies predicts the future, depending on how many are seen. There are many regional variations on the rhyme, which means that it is impossible to give a definitive version.

In both Italian and French folklore, magpies are believed to have a penchant for picking up shiny items, particularly precious stones. Rossini'sopera La gazza ladra and The Adventures of Tintin comic The Castafiore Emerald are based on this theme. In Bulgarian, Czech, German,Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Slovak and Swedish folklore the magpie is also seen as a thief. In Sweden it is further associated with witchcraft. In Norway, a magpie is considered cunning and thievish too, but also the bird of huldra, the underground people.