In disgrace

 

In disgrace

Photograph taken many years ago

The magpies have been very evident recently. One young bird kept coming onto the little bridge over the pond and I remarked that it was dicing with death. Its parent sat on a tree nearby and called to it, but it was happy and confident, well able to fly wherever it wished.

My words were prophetic for yesterday afternoon Jellicoe caught the unfortunate youngster and proudly brought it into the house. No amount of scruffing would persuade him to let his prize go and his growling was prodigious. Herschel was paying close attention but to no avail.

Eventually, we shut Jellicoe outside, still firmly grasping his prey, by which time his victim was effectively dead. Jellicoe then lost all interest in his catch and left it to stiffen on the patio. There was not a drop of blood to be seen. Fortunately, Jellicoe and Herschel rarely catch birds and never attempt to eat them.

It made us sad, though, to see a little life snuffed out.