Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1912 — Legend of Magpie and Robin. [ARTICLE]

Legend of Magpie and Robin.

The peasants of France, in accordance .with a tradition, pierce the head of a magpie with a thorn whenever they catch one. According to the French legend, after Jesus had been nailed to the cross two birds alighted on the extended arms of the Instrument of death. One was a magpie with a beautiful aigrette on Its head and a long waving tail, then the handsomest of birds but the wickedest, chirping insult at th* suffering Jesu*. The other bird was a modest little biyd with gray plumage, which approached the cross timidly, uttering cries of grief. With its beak it tried to pluck away one of the thorns. A single drop of th* blood fell on the pitying little gray bird and gave the'Tobln redbreast