152 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



some of which were incomplete, while in others 

 one or two eggs had been deposited. 



The next day I returned to the place on foot, 

 provided with a spy-glass, for the purpose of ob- 

 servation. On my arrival I found that the ravens 

 were absent, and that the jackdaws, availing them- 

 selves of this, had congregated in considerable 

 numbers, and were as busily employed about 

 their habitations as a swarm of bees ; some car- 

 rying materials for the completion of their frail 

 and yet unfinished nests, others conveying food 

 to their mates, and all apparently making the 

 most of their time during the absence of their 

 tormentor. 



There being no cover or brushwood at hand, 

 and the branches being yet leafless, I was unable 

 to conceal myself effectually, but having sat down 

 at the foot of the tree containing their nest, I 

 awaited the return of the ravens. 



Nearly an hour elapsed before the arrival of the 

 male bird, and I was first made aware of his ap- 

 proach by the consternation which it appeared to 

 spread among the jackdaws. Like most animals 

 under similar circumstances, when apprehensive of 

 danger, they rapidly collected their forces on a 

 single tree, keeping up all the time an incessant 

 chattering, each bird shifting his position rapidly 

 from bough to bough, while the raven, who held 



