144 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



most characteristic species, because they are so 

 readily observed, are the various birds of the Crow 

 tribe. The Rook and the Jackdaw are perhaps 

 too familiar to require more than a passing allusion ; 

 the bunches of Starlings that frequent the pastures 

 are equally well known. The Carrion Crow is not 

 so easily identified by the ordinary observer, too 

 closely resembling the Rook; but his green instead 

 of purple glossed coat, and his black face, should 

 not fail to make him known. Then, too, his note is 

 harsher, more closely resembling the croak of the 

 Raven. Magpies, we are glad to say, are still familiar 

 birds upon the fields. We often come across them 

 on the pastures ; and only the other day we flushed 

 a party of seven from a meadow on the coombe 

 side not half a mile from Paignton. These birds, 

 especially on the upland fields, often make their 

 nests in low hedges. Jays we sometimes see about 

 the open fields, but they are more given to frequent- 

 ing orchards, groves, and wooded areas. To suit- 

 able fields fields with trees in or round them 

 the Tree Pipit is a regular summer visitor, arriving 

 in April and leaving in September. All through 

 the earlier summer days the sweet song of this 

 bird may be heard, and the little musician seen 



