As a gal who grew up in the magpie-less East, I always think of as somewhat exotic for their color pattern and streamer tails. That sense of the exotic was heightened when I learned that the Russians see magpies as fortune tellers: If you see one magpie alone, it is very bad luck. You always want to see two together -- that means you will have very good luck. Fortunately, magpies seem to hang around in pairs.

Caroline Feiss
Madrona Neighborhood, Seattle
mailto:cfeiss at halycon.com