36 BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



to shake the tree or bush containing the nest before 

 the bird could be induced to quit, which she does 

 with a loud scream of expostulation. The nest is 

 seldom found more than twenty to twenty-five feet 

 from the ground, often only ten ; though once l we 

 saw one fully forty feet up a spruce fir ; but this must 

 be regarded as quite exceptional. We have never 

 seen more than six eggs in a clutch, sometimes only 

 three ; but the former number seems to be the usual 

 one. Generally the shyest of the shy, this bird, when 

 retiring to roost, may be approached fairly easily, as 

 we have proved on many occasions. Though not 

 gregarious, many nests may be found within a 

 comparatively small area of suitable covert more 

 especially where birds of this family are not " im- 

 proved " from the land. We are afraid that we 

 cannot quite acquit the Jay of nefarious practices, as 

 certainly he will take all kinds of eggs freely 

 though a field-mouse and suchlike come as a welcome 

 change to him. In the winter acorns and grain form 

 his simple fare. 



In some " larders " we shall be nearly certain to find 

 the pert and lively Jackdaw, more especially in the 

 breeding season, for though comparatively harmless 

 at other times, Jack is at egg-time a troublesome 

 fellow in the preserves. This bird is gregarious in 

 more or less numbers, according to the accommo- 

 dation to be found, though we have from time to 

 time found an isolated nest, which is always placed 

 in a hollow of some kind, trees, rocks, dovecots, and 

 belfry towers. One we remember well in the old 

 1 In the New Forest. 



