42 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



exceptional tameness and impudence. It may 

 often be watched searching for food almost at 

 arm's length, and is constantly robbing the 

 Sparrows of bread and other scraps. There are 

 few more lively and engaging birds, although we 

 are sorry to say the crime of murder must be laid 

 to his charge. We have seen a Jackdaw rob in 

 succession three Sparrows' nests that were built 



under the eaves between the spout and the wall. 



/ 

 The pillaging rascal clung, Woodpecker-like, to 



the masonry, tore the nests to pieces, and carried 

 off the helpless young inside one at a time to 

 feed its own offspring, the parent Sparrows 

 meanwhile uttering loud cries of impotent rage. 

 The Jackdaw mingles freely with the Rook and 

 the Starling, and its aerial movements and loud 

 cackling cries, especially when a large flock is 

 chattering in irregular chorus, often in company 

 with those species, are very interesting and 

 enlivening. The Jay and the Magpie are by no 

 means unfrequent visitors to the borough limits, 

 but they are inherently shyer species, and often 

 only betray their whereabouts by their harsh 

 screams or discordant chatter. The beautiful 

 pleasure-grounds maintained almost in a state of 



