The Magpie alone, of all the birds, had the art of building a nest; the form of which was with a covering over head, and only a small hole to creep out at.

The rest of the birds being without houses, desired the pie to teach them how to build one. A day is appointed, and they all meet. The Magpie then says, “You must first lay two sticks across, thus.”—“Aye,” says the Crow, “I thought that was the way to begin.”—“Then lay a little straw, moss, and feathers, in such a manner as this.”—“Aye, without doubt,” says the Starling, “that necessarily follows; any one could tell how to do that.”

When the Pie had gone on teaching them till the nest was built half way, and every bird in his turn had known something or other, he left off and said, “Gentlemen, I find you all know the method of building nests as well, if not better, than I do myself, therefore you cannot want any of my instruction:” So saying, he flew away, and left them to upbraid each other with their folly; which is visible to this day, as few birds beside the Magpie know how to build more than half a nest.