It is documented in the Tang Dynasty chapter of the book Zi Zhi Tong Jian that during the rule of the Emperor Taizong (598 – 649 AD, ruling from 626 – 649 AD), white magpies built a nest above the palace. The nest was small in the middle and large at either end, as if two nests had been pushed together, similar to a waist drum. All his officials complimented the birds, saying, "Ordinary things in this world don't like to be combined because they cannot tolerate each other. Now two bird nests have merged to become one with a special shape. It is truly remarkable--a reflection of the harmony existing between heaven and earth, and the virtue of Your Majesty, our Emperor. We really need to celebrate this event."
 
Taizong said, "I often laughed at the Emperor of the Sui Dynasty, who did not pay attention to talented officials but liked auspicious omens. As a result, his country perished. In my opinion, what is truly auspicious is having talented officials managing our country well, and having our people be happy and peaceful. As for the rare birds and wonderful beasts, they are only slightly different from ordinary things. This is not enough to be called auspicious and is unworthy of a celebration." He then ordered the nest to be destroyed and the birds to be returned to the wild.
 
纵鹊毁巢
 
《资治通鉴﹒唐纪》：太宗时，尝有白鹊构巢于寝殿之上，合欢如腰鼓，左右称贺。上曰：“我常笑隋帝好祥瑞。瑞在得贤，此何足贺。”命毁其巢，纵鹊于野外。
 
【解】据《资治通鉴﹒唐纪》记载，唐太宗时，曾有白鹊结窝于寝殿之上。其巢两个合而为一，有合欢之形。又两头大，中腰小，恰似腰鼓模样。左右侍臣都说道：“凡物相并，则不能兼容。今两鹊为巢，合而为一，形状殊常，实为稀有，这都是因为天地和气所钟，主上圣德所感，理当称贺。”太宗说：“我常笑隋帝不好贤人而好祥瑞，至于亡国。以我看来，只是得贤臣、理政事、安百姓，使天下太平，这才是真正的祥瑞。至于珍禽奇兽，不过一物之异耳，何足为瑞而称贺哉！”于是令人毁其窝巢，纵放白鹊于野外。