JACKDAW 593 



Although ragged and untidy when viewed from below, a rook's nest 

 is usually a very well-built structure, which has been compared to an 

 overgrown blackbird's nest, and is formed of twigs and turf, with a 

 lining of fine roots and straw. Three to five is the usual number of 

 the eggs. 



Two problems, it has been remarked, remain for solution in con- 

 nection with the rook. Firstly, the reason for the casting of the 

 feathers at the root of the beak ; and, secondly, whether these birds 

 are advantageous or harmful to the agriculturist. That they consume 

 enormous quantities of worms, wire-worms, the larvae of cockchafers, 

 and other grubs, is freely admitted ; on the other hand, they take large 

 toll on agricultural products. Owing to the immense number of these 

 birds, the question of their utility or otherwise is obviously one of great 

 practical importance, which, once for all, should be definitely settled. 

 It has been stated that while in England the preponderance of 

 opinion is in favour of their utility, in Scotland the opposite view is 

 entertained. The well-known proficiency of Scotsmen in all matters 

 connected with agriculture and horticulture should render their opinion 

 on this subject of great weight and importance. 



Jackdaw ^^^ ^^^^ °^ ^^^^ British Corvidae which can be included 



(Copvus '" ^^^ typical genus is the small species whose proper 



monedula") ^'^^^ ^^ "daw," but to which the familiar prefix " Jack " 

 has become so firmly attached as to be now insepar- 

 able. Even this species is by some ornithologists regarded as worthy 

 of generic separation, and is then known as Colce.us vionedula. With a 

 length of not more than 14 inches, the jackdaw is specially charac- 

 terised by having the otherwise black plumage relieved by a somewhat 

 collar-shaped grey area extending downwards from the sides of the 

 head on to the back and the sides of the neck. Hen jackdaws are 

 rather smaller than cocks, with the grey colour somewhat less con- 

 spicuous ; while in young birds the grey area is still more restricted. 

 Very characteristic of the species at all ages are the white eyes. 



The greater part of Europe comes within the range of the jackdaw, 

 which breeds in Norway as far north as Trondhjem in about latitude 

 64'. Eastwards the species is found as far as the Yenisei valley in 

 Siberia, where, however, it does not appear to range farther north than 

 about latitude 56° ; but in south-western Europe it is replaced by an 

 allied species, although at the western end of the Mediterranean it 

 reappears in Algeria. In the British Islands, although distributed very 

 widely, it is to a great extent local, being more, or less completely 



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