THE JACKDAW. Ill 



rooks and jackdaws regularly retire at nightfall to 

 the eastward of this place, in immense flocks, and 

 return to the westward every morning for the en- 

 suing half year. 



The jackdaw lays from four to six eggs, varying 

 very much in colour, and often in size and shape. 

 When protected, it will build its nest in holes not 

 above six feet from the ground, where people are 

 passing and repassing every hour of the day. If 

 you take away the eggs, and substitute those of 

 magpies, the bird will hatch them, and rear the 

 young ones with great care and affection. 



The plumage of the jackdaw is black, with 

 shining silvery grey behind the head, changing 

 when exposed to the different rays of light. A 

 jackdaw once appeared here with a remarkable 

 portion of white in one of the wings; it tarried 

 with us for two years, and then disappeared for 

 ever. Probably the singularity of its wing had 

 attracted the fatal notice of some experienced 

 gunner, in its peregrinations beyond this vale of 

 safety. 



The jackdaw, like the rook, collects insects in 

 its mouth, to feed its young ; and this gives it 

 the appearance of a pouch under the lower man- 

 dible. 



I know not how far naturalists will agree with me 

 in the speculation that these birds remain in pairs 

 the year throughout. When November's winds 

 have stripped the sycamore of its every leaf, I see 

 the daws sitting in pairs, side by side, upon the 

 naked branches. They seem fond of preening 



