An traditional British rhyme predicts a person's fate based on how many magpies they've seen: "one for sadness, two for joy, three for a funeral, and four for birth." Some believe that if you don't salute a passing magpie, bad luck will wait eagerly around the next corner. Others say you should give it a wave or shout "good morning!" Magpies are famous for their cheeky nature and ability to get other birds' attention with their loud calls. They also have distinctive black and white plumage which helps people identify them from a distance. Thus, by waving or shouting at a magpie you are showing it respect and letting it know that you haven't been attacked yet. People used to kill magpies to use their feathers in costumes and as decorations. Now that they're protected by law, nobody can make money off of magpies. However, we still admire them for their beauty and try to protect them wherever possible.