Such birds do us good, though we no longer take omens from their flight on this side and that; and even the most superstitious villagers no longer take off their hats to the magpie and wish it good-morning.

• 这些鸟对我们有益，虽然我们不再从它们的飞行姿势来占卜吉凶，连最迷信的村民也不再对喜鹊脱帽行礼，祝它早安了。