THE JACKDAW. 183 



THE JACKDAW. 



CORVUS MONEDULA. 

 Cathag. Corraclian (lona and Mull). 



THE smoke-begrimed "Kays" frequenting the steeples and chimney 

 tops of large cities are certainly not fair representatives of the 

 smart bird one meets with in country places, where the venerable 

 ruins of some of our finest cathedrals afford them a home. Let 

 any one venture within the precincts of these splendid vestiges 

 of former grandeur, and listen to the brisk chatter of the noisy 

 rabble before they pour out of their holes and burst in a cackling 

 stream over the parapet their voices, as they get to a little 

 distance, sounding like a faint echo from the walls and he will at 

 once appreciate the effect of such wild behaviour when contrasted 

 with the impudent tameness of city birds. The same noisy 

 companies enliven the bold and romantic headlands which are 

 exposed to the fury of many a sea storm, and salute the adven- 

 turous egg-collector with singular vivacity as they dart out of 

 their unseen hiding places. In both localities, widely different in 

 their nature, the species seems to be largely on the increase; on 

 almost every extensive ruin and marine rocky precipice, the 

 numbers have at least become doubled within the last twenty 

 years; and from the ease with which it can issue from its inacces- 

 sible retreats into the nearest fields and rob the nests of other 

 birds in a measure unsuspected, and its habit of appropriating the 

 eggs of sea-fowl frequenting the same ledges, it manages to get 

 through its summer life surrounded by luxuries. In winter it 

 joins the clamorous flights of rooks, journeying to distant places 

 in their company, and returning with them at the close of day 

 without attracting attention, save by the lively note it utters as 

 the flock rises into the air. Thus it leads a privileged life, 

 although it is well known as a most destructive and impudent 

 thief, doing more mischief to the game preserver than the 

 kestrel, jay, or magpie birds which might surely be spared if the 

 Jackdaw is allowed a free pass. 



In the very centre of Glasgow Jackdaws reside all the year, 

 nestling in winter by the sides of chimney cans on the housetops 

 for warmth, and in summer frequenting the taller church towers, 



