As the Muse spoke, Minerva could hear wings beating on air,
and cries of greeting came from high in the trees.
She peered into the foliage,
attempting to discover where those sounds,
the speech of human beings to be sure,
were emanating from:why, from some birds!
Bewailing their sad face, a flock of nine magpies (which mimic anyone they wish to)
had settled in the branches overhead.
Minerva having shown astonishment,
the Muse gave her a little goddess-chat
"This lot has only recently been added to the throngs of birds. Why? They lost a contest!