THE JACKDAW AND THE STARLING, ETC. I29 
considerably higher order than those of the jackdaw, 
for it builds a domed nest, with an entrance at the 
side, upon an open branch, and lines it carefully with 
root-fibres and clay. ‘The site of the nest varies very 
much. Generally a tall tree is chosen, and the nest 
placed among the topmost branches, but not uncom- 
monly the bird chooses a much lower situation, and 
will even build occasionally in a hedge. ‘The eggs, 
which are usually seven in number, are of the ordinary 
crow type. 
The good qualities of the magpie’s nest, after its 
legitimate owner has left it, appear to be fully appre- 
ciated by others of the feathered race, and, in a district 
in which the bird abounds, quite a small collection 
might be made of alien eggs taken from its disused 
abodes. A correspondent of Sczence-Gossip gives 
the following list of eggs which he has at different 
times taken from deserted magpies’ nests :—‘“ Kestrel, 
sparrowhawk, brown owl, blackbird, thrush, starling, 
stockdove, pied wagtail, redstart, nuthatch, creeper, 
great tit, blue tit, and once, built in the cross-sticks 
of the dome, the nest of the long-tailed tit. ” 
THE Chough is so local and comparatively scarce a 
bird that, although it is both an insect-eater and a 
scavenger, we will pass it by without further notice, 
and transfer our attention to the Starling, one of the 
most useful of all our British birds. | 
All that can be said against it, indeed, is that it is 
rather apt, at times, to visit a fruit garden or a cherry 
orchard, in order to regale itself upon the produce. 
Ke .2 
