magpie

Everyday

1. A black-and-white bird with a long tail and a loud chattering call, related to crows. tree →
2. (informal) A person who likes to collect small shiny or odd things. tree →

In the lessons

In science, magpies are clever birds of the crow family; in Europe the magpie is black and white with blue-green shine, and the Australian magpie is a different bird known for swooping on people near its nest in spring — wear a hat and walk away calmly. In stories and old rhymes, magpies steal shiny things, though studies show they do not really love shiny objects. Phrases: «One for sorrow, two for joy» (a counting rhyme).

Examples

• A magpie hopped across the lawn. tree →
• "One for sorrow, two for joy," we chanted when we saw the magpies. tree →
• In spring, Australian magpies swoop at cyclists. tree →
• Magpies are very clever birds. tree →
• The magpie built a big messy nest in the tree. tree →
• Grandma is a magpie who collects buttons. tree →
• The magpie's tail is long and shiny. tree →
• Magpies eat insects, seeds and even scraps. tree →
• Then the prince started off with the lame magpie. tree →

Note

Countable. Myth: magpies do not really steal shiny things more than other things. The magpie rhyme is a superstition, not a true way to tell the future.