eB 
Tona, a pair or two used to live amongst the crowd of cousins—some thirty pairs of Jackdaws. 
Graham considered that “ the Choughs were always friendly,” but perhaps they were obliged 
to be, and the cousins only reciprocated until more pressing times arrived. Certainly we would 
never advocate the protection, or at least over-protection, of Jackdaws. We have little trust 
in their good faith. Their pilfering habits, Tammany-Ring proclivities, and general upper- 
hand assertiveness of character, and of numbers, make them at least “ suspicious characters ” 
towards their weaker-billed relations. They treat other weaker species badly, and even pilfer 
from “royal” sanctuaries. It is their nature. 
The direct influence of man does not appear to have had much to do with the decrease 
of the Chough, certainly—at least at our Scottish localities—but it rests with us to make 
sure, so far as we can, that it be not our fault if they do not again increase. 
The Peregrine Falcon is quite an abundant species in Scotland, well able to maintain its 
own. It has been—and we admit not without reason—accused of being instrumental in the 
decrease of the Chough; and indeed it has, not once, but several times, been stated to us 
that the Chough is a bird it is particularly fond of. We strongly incline to the belief that 
the Peregrine has caused the disappearance of the Chough from more than one west. island 
locality, and of these mostly such islands as are limited in extent of coast-line; and where 
Peregrine Falcons have long been known to hold their watch-towers, we can easily enumerate 
several of these, but here will only mention the Island of Eigg (v. “ The Vertebrate Fauna of 
Argyll and the Inner Hebrides,” pp. lix. and 86): and the belief also regarding the formerly 
well-stocked islands of Gigha and Cara, not to speak also of the opposite shores of Kintyre. 
We may seem to our readers to have dwelt at great length on these coincidences, but 
we act upon the principle that:—as a Society for the Protection of Birds we ought not 
to shirk the “why and the wherefore,” lest by rash application of the law, injustice to 
any species may be wrought, as has over and over been done before by acclimatization 
societies—for instance, the rabbit in Australia and New Zealand, and following it the stoat 
and weasel !—and the injustice done by over-preservation and ill-considered “acclimatization” 
of species utterly inimical to the natural state of things. 
The Chough cannot be considered a migratory bird. It is indeed a local species, and 
also a locally resident species. Therefore do not let man shoot, trap, or destroy them. If they 
for selfish ends and purposes do so, then their true friends—naturalists—cannot hope to 
see any improvement in their status and future welfare. 
Thus, then, we close our case for our plaintiff, who asks the pathetic question— 
“(Can you show any Caws why I should not be protected P” 
Educational Series.—No. 1.—OWLS. No. 2—WOODPECKERS. No. 3.—STARLING. No. 4.— 
SWALLOWS. No. 5.—KINGFISHER. No. 6.—OSPREY. No. 7._DIPPERS. No. 8.—NIGHTJAR. 
No. 9.—TITMICE. No.10.—KESTREL. No.11.—PLOVERS. No. 12.—TERNS. No. 13.— WAGTAILS. 
No. 14.—CHOUGH. No. 15._JAY. No. 16.—SKUAS. 
Others in course of preparation. 
Copies of the above may be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department, Knowledge Office, 
326, High Holborn, W.C., or from the Hon. Sec., Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, on the following 
terms:—Post free: three copies of any one number of the Series, 1d.: one dozen, 3d.; 100, Is. 6d. 
Assorted packets, one copy of any six numbers, 2d. ; one copy of any twelve, or two copies of any six numbers 
4d.; or 50 assorted numbers, 1s, Special terms for larger quantities to County Councils, the Constabulary 
and Schools. 
The Society’s Publishing Office, Knowledge, 326, High Holborn, London, W.C. 1897. 
