Show Legend of Magpie and Robin Tho peasants of France In accordance accord-ance with a tradition pierce the head of a magpio with a thorn whenever they catch one According to the French legend after Jesus had teen nailed to tho cross two birds alighted on tho extended arms of the instrument instru-ment of death Ono was a magpio with a beautiful aigrette on its head and a long waving tall then tho handsomest hand-somest of birds but the wickedest chirping insult at the suffering Jesus The other bird was a modest little bird with gray plumage which approached ap-proached tho cross timidly uttering cries of grief With its beak it tried I to pluck away ono of tho thorns A single drop of the blood fell on tho pitying little gray bird and gave the robin redbreast |