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Show Legend of Magpie and Robin. Tho peasants of France, In accordance accord-ance with it tradition, plcrco tho head of n mngpio with a thorn whenever they catch ono. According to the French legend, after Jesus had teen nailed to tho cross two birds nllghtcd on tho extended arms of the Instrument Instru-ment of death. One was a magplo with a beautiful aigrette on Its hend nnd n long waving tall, then tho handsomest hand-somest of birds but tho wickedest, chirping Insult at tho suffering Jesus. The other bird was a modest llttlo bird with gray plumage, which approached ap-proached tho cross timidly, tittering cries of grief. With its bonk It tried to pluck nwny ono of the thorns. A slnglo drop of tho blood foil on tho pitying little gray bird and gave tho robin redbreast. |