BIRDS 



261 



and Cape Colony. Its length is about 7 inches, and the wings are nearly as long ; 

 the plumage is blackish brown with a greenish hue, but the chin and upper part 

 of the throat are white. 



THE SWIFT. 



Jackdaw. 



A much more familiar bird in every sense is the jackdaw 

 (Corvus monedida), which, though living mainly amongst clumps 

 of trees, is equally at home wherever there are church-towers or other high 

 buildings. Jackdaws' nests are often found in great numbers close to each other, 

 for the jackdaw is sociable and frequently consorts with crows in large flocks. The 

 nest is a mere heap of odds and ends, lined with some soft substance, and contains 



