Magpies

Above is the February page from An Illustrated Country Year by Celia Lewis. Instead of using it for the 1st of the month post I decided to find out more about magpie folklore for a separate post, but apart from the well known rhyme for spotting the number of birds seen, all I could find in my books was just one country saying  for weather......

         Magpies flying three or four together and uttering harsh cries predict windy weather.

and one for fishermen

For anglers in spring it is always unlucky to see single magpies; but two may always be regarded as a favourable omen. The reason is, that in cold and stormy spring weather one magpie alone leaves the nest in search of food, the other remaining sitting with eggs or the young ones; but two go out together only when the weather is mild and warm, which is favourable for fishing.

The magpie rhyme that I know must be the one from from the children's TV programme  back in the 1970's

One for sorrow

Two for joy

Three for a girl

Four for a boy 

Five for silver 

Six for gold

Seven for a secret 

Never to be told 

Because in my book they are different

One for sorrow

Two for mirth

Three for a wedding

Four for a birth

One sign of anger

Two, sign of mirth

Three sign of wedding day

Four sign of death

Five sign of sorrow

Six sign of joy

Seven sign of maid

Eight sign of boy. 

Growing up in the country there is one thing I do know about magpies.......... they are pests, taking the eggs and even the chicks of other birds. There are certainly more around now than in the past and it's rare to drive out anywhere in the country without seeing one or more.

There's more about magpies and superstition HERE and the birds themselves HERE

Back Tomorrow

Sue