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FARM AXD GARDEN 



from three to six eggs in the middle or end of April. When there are young in 

 the nests, the parents fly continually to and fro, and should a bird-of-prey startle 

 the colony, it is mobbed by the whole flock and driven away for some distance. 

 When the young are half-fledged they leave the nest, although they remain in the 



A PARTY OF JACKDAWS. 



neighbourhood and every evening return to its shelter. They develop into bold 

 sprightly birds, which fly more quickly than any other crows and indulge in many 

 curious antics in the air. After the nesting-season jackdaws seek out high trees 

 and buildings in which to sleep, dying in large circles round them until dusk and 

 then settling down to rest. They are resident in most European countries, but in 



