GARDEN AND ORCHARD BIRD-LIFE. 41 



There are several extensive rookeries within the 

 borough limits, and in more than one locality 

 the birds have had long-established colonies in 

 tall trees in some of the most frequented streets 

 in the town. In some cases there are rookeries 

 absolutely above the cab ranks ; whilst many 

 odd nests occur in gardens and pleasure-grounds 

 throughout the place. The bird is on the increase, 

 and almost every spring new situations are 

 occupied. In this favoured spot where autumn 

 and spring practically unite, the Rook is an 

 exceptionally early breeder, and it is not unusual 

 to see nest-building in progress during January. 

 Another bird of the Crow tribe very much in 

 evidence is the saucy Jackdaw. Torquay is a city 

 of Jackdaws, tame and confiding as Sparrows, and 

 equally as impudent. There are many colonies 

 of Jackdaws in the various cliffs that are such a 

 picturesque feature of the town; they occupy the 

 church steeples, and the eaves and chimneys of the 

 houses ; whilst the several avenues of noble if 

 somewhat storm-beaten lime-trees are the grand 

 headquarters of many others. The observer with 

 an experience of the Jackdaw obtained in other 

 localities cannot fail to be impressed by the bird's 



