558 BRITISH BIRDS. 
strictly gregarious and lives in colonies of greater or less extent according 
to the accommodation of the site selected. In the morning they may be 
seen passing through the air in rapid flight to their distant pastures, where 
they spend the day ; and when evening approaches they collect together, 
and either join the large flights of Rooks or return by themselves to their 
own homes. Dixon gives the following description of this peculiar 
habit :—“ I have often been struck with the great regularity of movement 
practised by the Jackdaw ; and it is one of the most interesting sights an 
ornithologist can see, to take your station near some large haunt and 
watch the birds approach to roost. A large colony of Jackdaws live in the 
mighty limestone cliffs which are crowned with the now crumbling ruin of 
the Keep of the once famous Peveril Castle in the High Peak. Their nests 
are built in the holes of this inaccessible cliff, whose base is tunnelled by 
the famous cavern known as ‘ Devil’s Hole.’ Here at sunset perhaps not 
a bird can be seen, for they are away on the pastures; but as the darkness 
gathers their well-known cries disturb the air, and the birds appear in 
view flying closely together and perhaps accompanied by a few Rooks. 
Then may be seen their pleasing aerial motions ; the whole flock seem in 
commotion, and buffet each other, wheel and glide and circle in the air, 
ere they perch a few at a time on the stunted trees growing out of the 
rocks. Then begins a noisy tumult—not in one long uproar, but im fit- 
ful clashes like a peal of bells—as the birds strive for points of vantage on 
the branches, or crowd each other off the rocks. Many will be seen to 
visit their nest-holes ; but I do not think they roost in them, but summer 
and winter alike select the branches of these few trees for a roosting- 
place. Notice, too, how the birds sit in pairs, marks of affection often 
passing between them; for the Daw most certainly is mated to its partner 
for life. As darkness deepens the noise subsides ; but even now the hoary 
old chasm will resound with their cackling notes as some fresh disturbance 
arouses the colony roosting so high above our heads.” 
The flight of the Jackdaw differs considerably from that of the Rook, 
and, indeed, from that of all the larger Crows. It is performed by a series 
of rapid flappings, very unsteady and wavering at times, but remarkable 
for its singular evolutions. ‘lhe Jackdaw’s wing is comparatively long 
and pointed ; and the bird will glide with great rapidity from side to side 
or stoop like a Hawk, and then, bounding upwards with a peculiar sidelong 
motion, again pursue its course. The note of the Jackdaw is a cry some- 
thing like quick, often varied with a shrill kind of scream. Although 
harsh, it is perhaps less so than that of the other Crows we have in our 
islands. It is said that in many districts the Jackdaw has driven away 
the Chough from its old haunts on our maritime cliffs; and it is not 
improbable that such is really the case. 
The Jackdaw builds its nest almost wherever it can find a suitable hole, 
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