184 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



the recesses of which must be filled with the sticks and other 

 rubbish they have used in nest building. In some of these, 

 indeed, the collection of materials is really extraordinary. For 

 weeks at a time the birds seem to labour under a constant mania 

 for carrying twigs and straws into these towers, the top floors of 

 which are literally covered to a depth of some inches. They 

 appear to have no idea of stopping the supply of material until 

 it appears at the mouth of the hole or cavity into which it is 

 dropped. Thus a Jackdaw, especially in wide-mouthed chimneys, 

 will sometimes sit on a nest ten or twelve feet in height. 



The site selected by this bird for its nest is very variable old 

 trees and venerable ruins are favourite places, and the same may 

 be said of church spires and ivy-clad rocks in inland situations. 

 By far the largest colony of Jackdaws I have ever seen is one 

 inhabiting the splendid ruins of Bothwell Castle on the banks 

 of the Clyde. The nests there are placed in holes in the masonry 

 and also among the thick branches of ivy clothing a large portion 

 of the walls. Marine headlands are also well-known nurseries 

 for Jackdaws, the nests being placed in rents and fissures of the 

 rock, and entirely out of the reach of predatory collectors. 

 Pennant, in his Tour in Scotland, states that on the Fame 

 islands he found Jackdaws breeding in rabbit holes. 



When these birds have long inhabited a ruin, and become 

 attached to it, they are not easily scared. A very remarkable 

 instance of their confiding tameness occurred some years ago at 

 Penkill Castle, Ayrshire, a most romantic dwelling, which was 

 restored by the proprietor, the late Spencer Boyd, Esq. The Jack- 

 daws had for generations held undisputed possession of the ruins 

 situated on the steep banks of Penwhapple Grlen, and overlooking 

 one of the most charming little bits of scenery to be found in the 

 west of Scotland; and when the present beautiful residence was 

 built on the old walls and foundations, the birds remained in the 

 turret holes, which Mr Boyd took the precaution to leave almost 

 untouched. These holes communicated with the interior, and were 

 each fitted with a little door, which, on being opened by visitors, 

 exposed the nests and their contents. 



Miss Boyd has obligingly informed me that up to the present 

 time (1869) they still continue to inhabit the tower, and that no 

 one is allowed to disturb them. Jackdaws generally quit a castle 

 when it has been altered or repaired, preferring the crumbling 



