;6 COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



prey. The wing and tail are fairly long, and the shape 

 graceful. Swallows and other birds may often be seen 

 mobbing a Sparrow hawk. 



Nest. Made of sticks at top of tall tree. 



Eggs. White, with blotches and spots of reddish- 

 brown ; very beautiful eggs. 



Haunts. Wooded districts. 



HERON. (R. Herons.) 



Size. Largest bird that is described in this brck. 

 Length 30 inches. Has long neck and legs, with long 

 sharp bill. 



Colour. Above bluish-grey, wings darker, narrow 

 black plumes on head, under parts white, with black 

 markings down the front of neck, where the feathers are 

 elongated. 



Note. Sometimes utters a harsh ' krach, krach.' 



Distinguishing Feature. The large size. In flight 

 the wings move in slow beats and are much curved, 

 the long neck is bent back, and the legs are stretched 

 out behind, looking like a narrow tail. Often seen 

 getting up from the margin of a lake or stream. 



Nest. In tall trees, built of sticks. 



Eggs. Greenish-blue. 



Haunts. Sides of lakes and brooks. 



JACKDAW. (R. Crows.) 



Size. Smaller than Rook. 



Colour. Black, with a patch of grey on back of head 

 and sides of neck. Eye light grey. 



Note.' A familiar sound to most people, especially 

 those who live near an old ruin, sounding like ' Jack ' ; 

 hence probably the name. 



Distinguishing Feature. The small size, grey patch 

 on back of head, and whitish-looking eye. When seen 

 flying in company of Rooks, as they often do, Jackdaws 

 may be picked out by the quicker beating of the 

 wings, and by the note, which is pitched higher than 

 the caw of the Rook. 



Nest. In holes in trees or walls, often in church- 

 towers. Sticks and straw. 



Eggs. Bluish-white, with spots of dark brown. 

 taunts. Fields near nestln^, ~^laces. 



