270



structed ? I feed mine on hemp-seed and hard-boiled eggs, with a certain

amount of insects : — is this the most suitable food for these birds ? As they

belong to the Crow kind, I presume they should breed early in the spring.


The cock bird died some weeks ago, so I should be glad to purchase

another in his place if any of your members have one to spare.


Some time ago I saw a statement in your Magazine that one of the

members of the Avicultural Society had succeeded in pairing a Jackdaw

and a Chough. I should be interested in hearing whether there was

any offspring from the union. Wm. B. Gibbins.



The following reply was sent to Mr. Gibbins :


Matty years ago, I was visiting in Pembrokeshire for several weeks.

At that time the Chough was a common bird along the cliffs ; I have since

been told that the species is now unknown in its old haunts, having been

exterminated by the egg-collector. The trade egg-collector is a terrible

curse, and should be exterminated in his turn.


I found many nests of the Chough. They were all in shallow clefts

in the rocks, or on ledges in the cliffs. I did not notice one in anything of

the nature of a deep hole, after the manner of a Jackdaw. They were all

more or less in the open, some so full}’ exposed that I could see into them

and count the eggs from the top of the cliff. Most of them were in rather

inaccessible spots to climb to, but, when reached, were within arm’s length.

One was in a detached rock on the beach below the cliffs, and quite easy’ to

get at when the tide was out.


I hardly like to trust my memory as to the materials. So far as I

recollect, the nests were very like those of the Carrion Crow, but less bulky

and more shallow. Thus the nests in new sites. In a few favoured

positions there was quite an accumulation of material, the same spot

having been resorted to year after year. The base of each nest, if I mistake

not, was of sticks, and sheep’s wool formed part of the lining—but I will

look up some books and quote below.


The Chough, in the wild state, hunts along the shore, thrusting its

curved pointed bill into holes and crevices and under stones, levering

up and turning over smaller stones, all in search of insect life. I used to

see them inland also with the Gulls, feeding over the freshly ploughed

lands, doubtless on insect life in some or every form.


Your reference to the Jackdaw is, I suppose, to my own birds ( Avic.

Mag., Vol. IV., p. 138); I do not recollect any’ other case. My female White

Jackdaw, after a while, repudiated her own mate (by whom she had had

young a year or two previously), and was taken possession of by’ the male

Chough ; all the eggs were clear, and are now in my cabinet. Thanks to my

beloved neighbours, after I had obtained a female Chough I had to send

the pair away: but I am satisfied that they would have bred.


I should suggest open boxes, hidden away’ in high and secluded

nooks, and a good sized barrel or two, likewise hidden away, with one end

off, excepting a little piece along the bottom of the end, to help to keep the

nest safe inside. You do not say’ how y’ou keep your Choughs. Their

behaviour shews that they’ are thoroughly dissatisfied. Whatever the cause



