Play-Acting Magpies

It was a hot and dry day in February and I was waiting in a bus stop in Hazelwook Park. In an empty plot nearby, I was attracted to a commotion made by Magpies. One of them was gasping, lying on its back....and a few more around were cackling away. Assuming I might be able to help the Magpie in distress, I pulled out my drink bottle and approached it - at which the noisy magpies surrounding the magpie in distress flew away to nearby branches, still cackling all the way. When I was almost there, ready to pour some water into its mouth, the magpie in distress cooly stood up and flew away...!, leaving me wondeing what that "act" put on by the Magpies was supposed to mean?!?!

Anonymous
Tranmere