Magpie bits

Pica pica, the devilish, jewel thieving crow, from a group of avians that have been classed as the birds of ill omen. Its absolute junk.  When you observe a magpie close up you’ll realise it has got to be one of the most iridescent and beautiful birds we have.  My mummy picked this young one up on the road on the way to work.  We’ve managed to save its tail, skull, legs and wings.  For me the tail is the most amazing because the purples and blues and greens show up better than on the wings. It has also  been the quickest skull we have ever prepared, but when it was knocked down on the road its skull had broken so we’re going to glue that back on.  As it was a young magpie, the skull is really soft and delicate.