BIRDS 119 



kill the marauder), it is otherwise a useful member of society as a destroyer of. 

 vermin. 



Jackdaw. Though much might be written about this interesting and 

 well-known bird, space forbids more than a brief description. It is a common 

 resident, though it accompanies the Rook (which see) on its strange migrations. 

 It may be easily distinguished by remembering that it is a much smaller bird, 

 black with a patch of grey on the back of the head and sides of the neck ; 

 the eye also is light grey. When flying in the company of rooks, the jack- 

 daws may be picked out by the quicker beating of the wings. 



Both birds are fond of the proximity of human habitations : the Jackdaw 

 building in any convenient hole, building, tree, or cliff. Occasionally, also, 

 it builds a domed, as also an open, nest in a tree ; the species nests in colonies. 

 The eggs (four to six) are bluish white, with spots of dark brown. The well- 

 known call is " Jack," but the bird has also a spring song described as a 

 " prattle." Jackdaws are very fond of " leather- jackets " and other larvae, 

 but they will also rob nests of eggs and young birds. They make interesting 

 pets and are easily tamed. I know one soldier who refused to be parted from 

 his bird, which, when last I saw him, was busy sharing his master's rations. 



Jay. This bird is identified by its pinkish brown back, prominent white 

 on the rump, black tail, and patch of white, black, and blue on the wing. 

 [An Irish variety is darker.] The bird is fairly common in woods and forests. 

 It places its nest usually high up in the fork of a tree, using twigs and stems, 

 lined with grass, etc. The eggs (four to six) are greenish, thickly freckled 

 with fine green-brown ; sometimes almost uniform. The note is a harsh 

 scream or chatter, " Shushushusha " ; but there is also a real song, " a variety 

 of low warblings ' ; and the bird is also a notable mimic. It is, like the 

 others of its family, omnivorous, but is especially fond of acorns, chestnuts, 

 etc. It also robs nests and kills " vermin." During the winter, like the 

 Magpie, it will make a hoard of food. 



Kestrel. A common resident in fact, the most familiar of the falcons 

 on moor, marsh, cliff, or in forest. It is the only falcon which hangs station- 

 ary in the air, and may be at once distinguished by the chestnut colour of the 

 upper parts, and the tawny under parts. It takes but few birds, preferring 

 mice, moles, frogs, and beetles, and has therefore no right to be labelled 

 " vermin." It is a silent bird, placing its nest in various sites on cliff edges, 

 in ruins, in old nests in trees, and even on the ground. The eggs (four to 

 six) are whitish, blotched and mottled with red-black shades. Its cry is like 

 the plaintive call of a cat. 



Kite (22 inches, female larger). Is very rare, some twenty birds being 

 closely preserved in mid- Wales. It may be identified by its chestnut-coloured, 

 deeply forked tail. 



Kittiwake. This bird acquires its name from its well-known cry " Kitti- 

 way-ek." Though widely distributed, it is local as a breeding species in 

 England and Ireland. It places its nest on ledges of sea cliffs, constructing 



