.... The magpie is widely thought to be unlucky and has evil association in many cultures. ...According to the biblical story of Noah it was the one bird that refused to enter the ark prefering instead to perch on the roof.

..... The birds piebald coloring suggest its a perverse nature which combines the white of the blameless Dove and the jet black of the Raven, both of which left the Ark before all the other animals and were thus left un-baptised by the flood.