6o 



BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



JACKDAW (Corvus monedula) 



Local Names. — Caw, Cawdaw, Daw, Jack, Kae, 7 Kae-Wattie. 

 Haunt. — Woods, sea cliffs, church towers, and fields. 

 Nesting Period. — May and June. 



Site of Nest. — Cliffs, hollow trees, old church towers, ruins, etc. 

 Materials Used. — Sticks, straw, dry grass, feathers, wool, leaves, 

 etc. Often a large homestead. 

 Eggs. — From Three to Six. Bluish-white, well 

 spotted with ash and light and dark brown. 

 Food. — Mice, young birds, reptiles, insects and 



their larva?, earthworms, and offal. 

 Voice. — A shrill, high-pitched " kak, kak." 

 Chief Features. — An amusing pet, and can be 

 taught to articulate in a wonderful way. 

 Has increased enormously of recent years, 

 and in many districts is regarded as a pest, 

 driving away more useful birds. Often associates with Rooks 

 and Starlings, and, like them, assiduously searches for grubs in 

 fields and parks. 

 Plumage. — Black, with violet reflections, on crown and upper parts; 

 grey, back of head and nape; white iris; dull black underneath. 

 Length. — Fourteen inches. 



Fig. 17. Head of 

 Jackdaw. 



JAY (Garridus glandartus) 



Local Names. — Blue-Winged Jay. Gay Pie, Jay-Pie, or Jay-Piet. 



Haunt. — Woods, copses, and plantations. 



Ncstiiig Period. — End of April and early 

 in May. 



Site of Nest. — Tall trees and thick bushes. 



Materials Used. — Sticks, roots, and grass. 



Eggs. — Five or Six. Faint greyish-green, 

 thickly freckled all over with light 

 brown. 



Food. — Young birds and eggs, snails, 

 earthworms, insects, and fruit. 



Voice. — A harsh alarm-note, usually re- 

 peated three times. 



Chief Features. — Another amusing pet, 



but a much more handsome bird than lu l8 " lh>ad ot Jay " 



its relative the Jackdaw. Can be taught to speak very plainly. 

 1 '"ssesses a fluttering appearance on the wing, and when moving 

 exhibits a dancing habit. When flying in company the Jay 

 resorts to a follow-the-leader movement, the birds following one 



