220 THE JACKDAW. 



When burrowing, it would be entirely in abeyance. And supposing his run made, 

 how would his being far-sighted advantage him, seeing that every now and then 

 he got off at an obtuse angle? — unless indeed he has the gift of looking round 

 corners. What would Waterton say to this supposed eyeless state of the 

 Mole; or that having eyes or '^tubercles," they are of no use to it! One may 

 just as well argue with him that the dreadful rows of teeth that garnished 

 the jaws of the leviathan, which he so bravely bestrode, were there not for 

 securing its prey, but as a mere superfluous ornament. Do not let vis believe 

 any such improbabilities. 



THE NATURALIST, VOL. 2. PAGE 20. 



THE JACKDAW. 



It seems to me that Mr. Lukis is attempting to corroborate an already 

 corroborated fact, when he tells us that Jackdaws build in the holes of trees. 

 Birds differ in nidiScation and manners in different neighbourhoods: wisely 

 they conform themselves to those places and circumstances in which they find 

 themselves. 



In this country I find Daws build in three distinct localities: — In the 

 cathedral, and in the country churches; on sea-side and other cliffs; and in 

 hollows of the ^^tall ancestral trees," which grace this beautiful country. The 

 sea-side cliffs, from Dawlish downwards to Watcombe, Petch-tor, Babbicombe, 

 Black-rock, Hope's Nose, and Berry Head, are all inhabited by colonies of 

 Daws in the breeding-season. 



The grand old trees in Ugbrook Park, belonging to Lord Clifford, are 

 favourite and frequent nesting-places for the Daws; also the mighty time- 

 honoured sky-piercing chestnuts, and others, in Peamore Park, the seat of 

 Samuel Trehawk Kekewich, Esq. — a noble gentleman withal; one who walks 

 the land, garlanded, as to his brow, with the blessings of all good men; to 

 whom also I am indebted for much ornithological and floral love, inasmuch 

 as his proverbial courteousness and urbanity opened the gates of his beautiful 

 park to me studying Nature. 



Many a pretty lesson have I learned there : sometimes roaming at my own 

 sweet will, fancy -led; and daintily attended with many a little laughing spirit 

 that lay lurking in the flower's dewy bell. Sometimes too, stretching along 

 the branches of the noblest beech in Devon, "Silvse filia nobilis," just merely 

 enjoying the blessedness of existence. "Wasting my strength in strenuous 

 idleness," and listening to the manifold sounds of woodland music — 



"Move along these shades 

 In gentleness of heart: with gentle hand 

 Touch: for there is a spirit in the woods." 



In the clefts of Dewerstone Eock, one of 



"The mighty tors of the dread wilderness" 

 of Dartmoor, the Daws breed annually, and the church- tower of Shaugh is 

 not distant half-a-mile. 



