292 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



her, remaining out till late till quite dusk night 

 after night, and always in the same place. It was an 

 arable field, and there they stood close together on 

 the ground, so close that in spots it was difficult to 

 distinguish individuals. They were silent and still, 

 making no apparent attempt at feeding. The only 

 motion I observed was when a few birds arrived and 

 alighted among them. Where they thus crowded to- 

 gether the earth was literally black. 



It was about three-quarters of a mile from their 

 nesting-trees, but nesting had been over for more 

 than two months. This particular field had recently 

 been ploughed by steam tackle, and was the only one 

 for a considerable distance that had been ploughed 

 for some time. There they stood motionless, side by 

 side, as if roosting on the ground ; possibly certain 

 beetles were numerous just there (for it was notice- 

 able that they chose the same part of the field even- 

 ing after evening), and came crawling up out of the 

 earth at night. 



The jackdaws, which so soon as the rooks pack 

 after nesting and fly in large flocks are always with 

 them, may be distinguished by their smaller size and 

 the quicker beats of their wings, even when not 

 uttering their well-known cry. Jackdaws will visit 

 the hencoops if not close to the house, and help them- 

 selves to the food meant for the fowls. Poultry are 

 often kept in rickyards, a field or two distant from 

 the homestead, and it is then amusing to watch the 

 impudent attempts of the jackdaws at robbery. 



