BIRDS OF THE GARDEN 19 



constantly perches on sheep's backs to pick out 

 parasitical ticks. Clamorous when settling down to 

 roost. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, worms, and slugs. 

 Soft fruits in summer ; berries, seeds, and grain in 

 winter. 



Nest. April onwards. Two broods. 



Site. In holes and trees, walls, &c., under slates of 

 roofs, in rain-water down-pipes and chimneys, in crevices 

 in ruins, church towers, sea cliffs, &c. 



Materials. Dry grass, straw,, and other rubbishing 

 materials, lined with wool and feathers. Loosely and 

 untidily compacted. 



Eggs. Four to six. Uniform pale blue, and somewhat 

 elongated. 



JACKDAW (Corvus monedula). 



Abundant in all suitable localities. 



Haunts. Ruins, church towers, sea cliffs, &c. 



Observation. Distinguish at once from Crow and 

 Rook by smaller size and grey nape. 



Plumage. Upper parts glossy black, with green and 

 purple reflections ; ear-coverts, sides of neck and back 

 of head grey ; under parts dull black. Bill and legs 

 black. Eye white. Length 14 in. Female slightly 

 smaller. Young, dull black, and grey areas less 

 distinct. 



Language. A sharp, impertinent " chack " or " jock." 



Habits. Very sociable, always breeding in commun- 

 ities, and passing much of the winter in company with 

 Rooks. Fond of flight, and loves to manoeuvre in the 

 air, sweeping and circling about, and then returning 

 to the same place it started from. Flight strong, and 

 wings rapidly vibrated. On the ground almost as 

 indefatigable as the Starling when searching for food, 

 but walks more sedately. 



