JAYS AND MAGPIES. 255 



Jackdaw, and is near akin to him. It is described* 

 as very familiar, and fond of frequenting habita- 

 tions, both houses or tents; and so much given to 

 pilfering, that no provisions it can come at, either 

 fresh or salt, are safe from its depredations. It is 

 so bold as to come into tents, and sit on the edge 

 of the kettle when hanging over the fire, and steal 

 victuals out of the dishes. It is very troublesome 

 to the hunters, both English and Indian, frequently 

 following them a whole day. It will perch on a 

 tree, while the hunter is baiting his marten-traps, 

 and, as soon as his back is turned, alight on the 

 ground, and eat the baits. 



Thus, all over the world, the Jackdaw-tribe is 

 notoriously given to pilfering. Whatever it sees it 

 considers a prize, and carries off to its hoard. In 

 the ruins of Holyrood Chapel in Edinburgh, a 

 Jackdaw was one day seen flying away with a large 

 piece of lace towards its nest; a soldier undertook 

 to climb up and recover it. He did so, but was 

 surprised to find, not only the stolen lace, but the' 

 following strange assortment of articles ;- part of 

 a worsted-stocking, a silk-handkerchief, a frill, a 

 child's cap, besides several other things, but so 

 ragged and worn out, that it was impossible to 

 make out what they were. 



JAYS AND MAGPIES. 



IT is remarkable how exactly similar are the habits 

 and propensities of birds of the same tribe or family, 

 though of a different species. Thus the Jays of 



* Hearne^s Travels* 



