254 JACKDAWS. 



original formation. In every part of the world, 

 the character of the Jackdaw-tribe seems to be the 

 same. 



Thus, in the island of Ceylon in India, these birds 

 are extremely impudent and troublesome; and it is 

 found very difficult to exclude them from the houses, 

 which, on account of the heat, are built open, and 

 much exposed to intruders. In the town of Colombo, 

 where they are in the habit of picking up bones and 

 other things from the streets and yards, and carrying 

 them to the tops of the houses, a battle usually 

 takes place for the plunder, to the great annoyance 

 of the people below, on whose heads they shower 

 down the loosened tiles, leaving the roofs exposed to 

 the weather. They frequently snatch bread and meat 

 from the dining-table, even when it is surrounded 

 with guests, always seeming to prefer the company 

 of man, as they are continually seen hopping about 

 near houses, and rarely to be met with in woods or 

 retired places. They are, however, important bene- 

 factors to the Indians, making ample compensation 

 for their intrusion and knavery; for they are all vo- 

 racious devourers of carrion, and instantly consume 

 all sorts of dirt, offal, or dead vermin; they, in fact, 

 carry off those substances, which, if allowed to re- 

 main, would, in that hot climate, produce the most 

 noxious smells, and probably give rise to putrid dis- 

 orders. On this account they are much esteemed 

 by the natives; their mischievous tricks and impu- 

 dence are put up with, and they are never suffered 

 to be shot, or otherwise molested. 



In North America, there is a small species, called 

 the Cinereous Crow, which also much resembles the 



