CORVUS CORNIX 15 



and engaging pet. Its well-known note, not easy to transcribe on 

 paper, is not unpleasant, though should a number of the birds be 

 calling together the noise becomes rather overpowering. Like its 

 congeners, the Jackdaw may be said to be almost omnivorous, its 

 principal food, however, being no doubt insects and their larvte, as 

 well as worms and slugs. It nests in the holes of cliffs, old walls, 

 and trees, depositing its eggs on a rough layer of sticks, slightly lined 

 with wool or feathers. The eggs are usually four or five in number, 

 and of a pale bluish-green, spotted and blotched with purplish-brown 

 and grey. Average measurements 34 x 25 mm. 



The Jackdaw found in Western Europe has been separated sub- 

 specifically from the Swedish, or typical form, under the name of 

 C. m. spermologtis (Vieill.), on account of a slight difference in the 

 coloration of its plumage, which is stated to be noticeable chiefly 

 on its underparts. 



Specimens from Eastern Europe and some Asiatic countries have 

 the collar on the nape white or whitish, slightly tinged with yellow, 

 and are distinguished under the name of C. m. coUaris (Drummond). 

 This form appears to be occasionally met with in Italy. 



In the more eastern portions of the Asiatic continent another 

 form of Jackdaw occurs, G. dauricus, Pallas. 



CORYOS CORNIX, Linngeua. 

 GREY CROW. 



CoFYUS comix, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 156 (1766) ; Locke, Expl. Sci. Alg. 



Ois. i, p. 112 (1867) ; Koenig, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 170. 

 Corone comix, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. ill, p. 31. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Sicily. 



Entire head, throat, breast, wings and tail black, more or less glossed 

 with violet-blue, but the primary quills with green reflections ; remainder 

 of the plumage ash-grey, some of the feathers with darker shafts. 



Iris dark brown ; bill and feet black. 



Total length 16o0 inches, wing 12, culmen 185, tarsus 2-30. 



Adult female similar to the male. 



