THE BIRDS OF DEVONSHIRE. 53 



MAGPIE. — Pica rustica (Scop). 

 A NUMEROUS resident, partial to fir woods, generally 

 flying in pairs, but droves of seven or eight birds 

 are not uncommonly seen with us in winter In 

 July, 1867, Mr. G. F. Mathew, while walking in the 

 neighbourhood of Buckfastleigh, observed a 

 Magpie grubbing for food in a roadside hedge. A 

 close inspection revealed to Mr. Mathew and the 

 friend who accompanied him, that this individual 

 "possessed a bill of a bright lemon colour at the base, 

 but of a darker hue towards the top " (Zool. 1867. 

 p. 1016). Mr. Mathew suggested that this rare 

 variation might be due to some disease inherent to 

 old age. 



JACKDAW. — Corvus moncdula, Linn. 



An abundant resident, nesting in rocks and old 

 quarries inland, in Rookeries, and in the cliffs of 

 North Devon, where Mr. Rawson testifies to its 

 great increase of late years. I have often found it 

 breeding in old trees, and its fondness for rabbit 

 holes is well known. Many Jackdaws frequent the 

 towers and pinnacles of Exeter Cathedral. 



CARRION QRQW.— Corvus corone, Linn. 

 A RESIDENT, but diminishing in numbers, and not 

 abundant in North Devon, though still of pretty 

 general occurrence in timbered districts. 



HOODED CROW.— Corvus comix, Linn. 

 A WINTER visitant, of decidedly uncommon occur- 

 rence, through stragglers are occasionally obtained. 



