pierides

plural noun Classical Mythology.

1. the Muses.
2. nine Thessalian maidens who challenged the Muses to a singing contest, lost, and were changed into magpies for insulting the victors.

pl n Greek myth

1. the MusesSee Muse
2. nine maidens of Thessaly, who were defeated in a singing contest by the Muses and turned into magpies for their effrontery