40 BIRDS AND MAN 



jackdaws flew over me and slanted down to join 

 the other birds, when all at once two daws dropped 

 out of the flock on to the back of the cow standing 

 nearest to me. Immediately five more daws followed, 

 and the crowd of seven birds began eagerly pecking 

 at the animal's hide. But there was not room 

 enough for them to move freely ; they pushed and 

 struggled for a footing, throwing their wings out to 

 keep their balance, looking like a number of hungry 

 vultures fighting for places on a carcase ; and soon 

 two of the seven were thrown off and flew away. 

 The remaining five, although much straitened for 

 room, continued for some time scrambling over 

 the cow's back, busy with their beaks and apparently 

 very much excited over the treasure they had dis- 

 covered. It was amusing to see how the cow took 

 their visit ; sinking her body as if about to lie down 

 and broadening her back, and dropping her head 

 until her nose touched the ground, she stood per- 

 fectly motionless, her tail stuck out behind like a 

 pump-handle. At length the daws finished their 

 feeding and quarrelling and flew away ; but for 

 some minutes the cow remained immovable in the 

 same attitude, as if the rare and delightful sensation 

 of so many beaks prodding and so many sharp claws 

 scratching her hide had not yet worn off. 



