Birds of omen

One for sorrow. The magpie, traditionally considered in Britain (and indeed north-west Europe) a bird of omen. In England, I've met otherwise rational and intelligent people who will make the sign of the cross on seeing a solitary magpie or utter phrases to ward off any evil that might result from such a sighting. No other bird is so deeply associated with portent as the magpie. Above: This young specimen sits on the tree outside my bedroom window.

Two for joy, perched on the same tree. Female in foreground, male behind her. Sighting a pair of magpies is supposed to bring good luck. Indeed, the variety of English folk rhymes that attribute other happenings with sightings of multiples of magpies (see here). But the 'one for sorrow, two for joy' seems to be a constant.

One could try to give an explanation for why people devised the notion that a pair of magpies brings good luck while a lone one brings bad luck. "Please, accept the mystery".

This time last year:
Yes it does matter who you vote for

This time two years ago:
Poland could do with some more mountains

This time three years ago:
Warmth of the Sun - the Beach Boys and Noctilucence

This time four years ago:
Polish roads that look like America