Observing the magpie mating ritual: Country diary, 5 December 1919

5 December 1919 I cannot be sure that sexual activity had called the magpies together, but as many birds pair in winter, it is likelyDarwin, in The Descent of Man, called attention to the spring gatherings of magpies, when they go through courtship antics and are evidently much excited over future housekeeping; his information was mainly derived from observations made in Delamere Forest. Some years ago Mr FJ Stubbs sent a further account of these gatherings to British Birds; his birds were watched in East Cheshire in January and February. Related: Country diary: what a joy to welcome the much-maligned magpie | Phil Gates Continue reading...