14 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



Observations. — The grounds on which tlie Jackdaw has been generically 

 separated by some authorities under the names Colceus and Lycos appear 

 to be hardly important enough to warrant the distinction. 



The Jackdaw was once not uncommon in the town of Tunis, and, 

 some twenty years ago I remember seeing several of the birds flying 

 about the old walls and fortifications in the vicinity of the Bardo 

 Palace. 



Blanc informs me that he has been told that the species was 

 originally imported into Tunis from Malta, a few pairs of the birds 

 having been brought over from that island, and kept in confinement 

 for some time at the Bardo, where, on being subsequently liberated, 

 they settled down, and rapidly increased in numbers, so much so, 

 that at one time Jackdaws swarmed around the old palace. 



Of late years, however, they seem to have disappeared entirely 

 from the town of Tunis, and I do not know positively of any other 

 place in the Regency where they are to be found at the present day. 

 At the same time, however, I think there can be little doubt that 

 the species occurs in some parts of Tunisia, as it is abundant in 

 certain localities further west. 



In the neighbourhood of Constantine Jackdaws are plentiful, 

 considerable numbers of them inhabiting the wonderful ravine 

 surrounding that town, and I have often watched large flocks 

 wheeling about and going through their aerial evolutions. 



In Marocco the Jackdaw does not appear to be at all abundant, 

 although Mr. Drake mentions having met with it near Tetuan. 



The species is, indeed, very local in its distribution, and is only 

 to be found in certain localities, being sometimes met with in 

 mountainous districts far inland, at other times on the sea-coast. In 

 Sicily, although found in both situations, the latter seems to be 

 preferred, and in various parts of the island large colonies of Jackdaws 

 are to be found living in cliffs overhanging the sea, where they are 

 resident throughout the year. 



Very sociable by nature, and essentially gregarious, the Jackdaw 

 is nearly always to be found in colonies, and it may also often be 

 found consorting with other Corvidce. It is not particularly shy, 

 nor as wary and suspicious as most of its congeners. 



In its habits it is bright and active, and when kept in captivity, 

 particularly if brought up from the nest, it forms a most delightful 



