THE JACKDAW. lll 
rooks and jackdaws regularly retire at nightfall to 
the eastward of this place, in immense flocks, and 
return to the westward every morning for the en- 
suing half year. 
The jackdaw lays from four to six eggs, varying 
very much in colour, and often in size and shape. 
When protected, it will build its nest in holes not 
above six feet from the ground, where people are 
passing and repassing every hour of the day. If 
you take away the eggs, and substitute those of 
magpies, the bird will hatch them, and rear the 
young ones with great care and affection. 
The plumage of the jackdaw is black, with 
shining silvery grey behind the head, changing 
when exposed to the different rays of light. A 
jackdaw once appeared here with a remarkable 
portion of white in one of the wings; it tarried 
with us for two years, and then disappeared for 
ever. Probably the singularity of its wing had 
attracted the fatal notice of some experienced 
gunner, in its peregrinations beyond this vale of 
safety. 
The jackdaw, like the rook, collects insects in 
its mouth, to feed its young; and this gives it 
the appearance of a pouch under the lower man- 
dible. 
I know not how far naturalists will agree with me 
in the speculation that these birds remain in pairs 
the year throughout. When November’s winds 
have stripped the sycamore of its every leaf, I see 
the daws sitting in pairs, side by side, upon the 
naked branches. They seem fond of preening 
