220 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



neighbouring county of Wilts. Though generally 

 living near the sea this bird is sometimes found in- 

 land in such places as suit its habits. 



The Choughs seem to have a natural antipathy to 

 the Jackdaws, who, being the hardier birds, are 

 probably supplanting them. In Guernsey, where 

 the Choughs are common, there are very few Jack- 

 daws, only one here and there, and that perhaps only 

 a straggler from the neighbouring islands of Jettoo 

 and Herm, not more than about three miles off from 

 land to land, and in these two Islands the Jackdaws 

 are numerous and scarcely a Chough is to be seen : if 

 the Jackdaws, as they probably will, attain in time 

 to greater numbers than these two little islands can 

 support, they will probably emigrate to Guernsey, 

 and an interesting struggle for existence will then 

 take place. 



The Chough is said to feed upon insects, berries 

 and grain. Yarrell says it is seldom seen searching 

 for them in the open fields. I have, however, in 

 Guernsey seen them feeding in the fields like Rooks, 

 and Yarrell adds that they may often be seen 

 following the plough to obtain the grubs and insects 

 that are thus exposed. The gizzard of one of these 

 shot at Bagborough contained a few oats, some grubs, 

 and some half-digested brown skins which I think 

 were those of earwigs. 



The nest is generally placed in crevices amongst 

 rocks, in high cliffs, and in old castles and church- 



