Magus Pius

Magus Pius is the story of a year in the life of an Australian Magpie, who was reared by a human family, all based on a true story.

Journey through all the stages of joy, heart-break, near tragedy and humour with tales of a courageous, mischievous, lovable little bird who literally wormed his way into the lives and hearts of everyone in our street. Even my husband, who was not particularly fond of pets digging in his garden, was so captivated by "Maggie" that he actually turned the soil over for him and helped him find his breakfast.

Maggie had all the cats in the street bluffed, by spreading his wings and jumping two to three feet high and squawking at them. If only they knew he couldn't fly! He actually played with the only dog. The street became his "territory" and he roamed it freely after I had cut his flight-feathers, and knew he could fend for himself.

He was invited to visit a Kindergarten and imagine my horror when I realised there were fifteen pairs of open-sandalled feet sitting in a circle waiting expectantly for Maggie to emerge from his box. Maggie, who was fascinated with human toes!

Later, we lost Maggie for three months. I have tried to express our loneliness and sadness without our beloved bird, but then our joy at finding her(?!) once again and finally our having to say 'farewell' because she (not he, as explained in the story) had found herself a mate.