On Tue, 24 Oct 1995, Steven G. Herman wrote:

And it is my view
> that the claim that magpies "abound" in eastern Washington is hyperbolic
> in the extreme; certainly they are found there, but nowhere "in large
> numbers or in great quantity" (Webster's seventh) or in densities that
> are as high as they have been historically. For myself, I would like to
> see them much more easily and in huge flocks, as I did in Colorado 40
> years ago.

Maybe they don't flock like Starlings, but what's hyperbolic about nearly
running over them on the streets of Pullman everyday? I see probably 40
birds a day.

Sherrie Hockett
hocketts at vetmed.wsu.edu