Poison Arms

In Norway, a magpie is considered cunning and thievish, sometimes wicked, but a playful and loud bird is also bringer of good weather.

An old English folk tale states that when Jesus was crucified on the cross, all of the world's birds wept and sang to comfort him in his agony. The only exception was the magpie, and for this, it is forever cursed.

In Scotland, a Magpie near the window of the house foretells death.

In Scottish folklore, in a story possibly related to the above, magpies were long reviled for allegedly carrying a drop of Satan's blood under their tongues.

In China, instead of being a sign of misfortune, the magpie is one of the most popular birds, and is seen as the messenger of good news and fortune. In fact, its name in Chinese literally means "bird of joy" (喜鹊).