In the rhyme 'One for sorrow, Two for joy', what is three for?

If you should see only 1 magpie, be sure to say, out loud, 'hello Mr Magpie, how's the wife and kids?' It will ward off the bad luck. Or, if it would be awkward to say that, discreetly salute it. That'll work, too. On a side note, the day my wife told me she was pregnant I happened to be looking out the window. There were 3 magpies in the garden. My daughter will be 10 in a few weeks.

So nice to see a magpie in full flight as in the pic. Such a beautiful bird.

If seeing just 1magpie, always look around for it's mate. I believe they mate for life , hence 1for sorrow because the mate is probably dead. Do not be beguiled by their attractive plume, they are vicious predators and very spiteful to other birds.

I always say hello magpie and salute. Some years back I was visiting my Nan when 1 was in her garden , and wouldn’t move , later when I got home I had a accident and dislocated my knee 😖I always said it was due to that single magpie

I always salute when I see one magpie 😆