THE JACKDAW. 



Jackdaws sometimes make their nests in hollow 

 trees, in rabbit burrows, and in the cavities of cliffs or 

 rocks on the sea-coast. They have been found in great 

 numbers in a chalk-pit, near Godalming, and among the 

 large masses of stone rising in the midst of Salisbury 

 Plain. 



A great many jackdaws constantly inhabit the higher 

 parts of Windsor Castle, the noble state residence of 

 the royal family of England. Of another position 

 chosen by this bird, Cowper reminds us, by saying, 



" Above the steeple shines a plate, 

 Which turns, and turns, to indicate 



From which point blows the weather: 

 Look up, your brains begin to swim ; 

 'Tis in the clouds, that pleases him — 

 He chooses it the rather." 



In some places jackdaws are very fond of chimneys, 

 which are sometimes quite stopped up from the quantity 

 of sticks they collect. A smoky house is considered 

 proverbially a pest; but such a dwelling these birds 



