About this design
First recorded in 1780, this is an ancient nursery rhyme that forms an augury based on how many Magpies are seen at any one time. With various versions, the one presented on our t shirt differs, it appears from the official version given by the Roud Folk Song Index . The designer is from Ireland, where the final magpie (10) is said to be a 'bird that's best to miss'. According to Roud, 10 magpies is a 'bird you must not miss'. Obviously this has either been misinterpreted on one side (Ireland) or the other (England) and the mistake remains, or cultural differences have simply chosen interpret it differently.








