LETTER III. 



51 



as soon as fledged to seek for other shores ; and the same limited 

 number only remains with us. 



The Chough is a very pleasing bird ; his movements are active 

 and sprightly ; he is always in the highest spirits, bustling about, 

 calling and responding to his mate. His voice somewhat re- 

 sembles the Jackdaw's, but it is much more cheerful and lively, 

 having a clear ringing sound. Chow ! chow ! chow ! he cries 

 till all the distant caves resound with his own name. 



,'■■ " 

 These birds always maintain a friendly footing with the Jack- 

 daws, associating with them in their feeding excursions, and 

 sometimes accompanying them home. The huge square tower of 

 St Columba's venerable shrine, grizzled with age, moss-grown 

 and roofless, still braves the shocks of time and the fury of the 

 elements, and affords secure shelter to a colony of Jackdaws 

 among its time-worn shafts and decaying windows. The belfry 

 walls which once vibrated to the merry-pealing chimes or the 



