CORVUS MONEDULA. 83 



where they are to be found is about Coria del Rio, below Seville ; 

 thence, as far as the Goto del Rey, they occur in tolerable 

 numbers, but are much more common towards Cordova, and are 

 reported to be very numerous in some parts of Estremadura, 

 being, however, a very local bird. 



The nests which I have seen were built on boughs at no great 

 height from the ground, rather clumsily constructed with small 

 sticks, grass, moss, and wool containing five eggs ; but as many 

 as seven are frequently found. They are well figured in ' The 

 Ibis' (1866, p. 382, pi. x. figs. 3-8), from specimens obtained by 

 Lord Lilford in 1864. and vary a great deal in colour and 

 markings, the commonest form being of a stony-buff colon?* 

 marked with purplish and brown spots. I kept four of these 

 birds, reared from the nest, for some time alive, feeding them on 

 grapes, figs, bread, beetles, and grasshoppers. Always placing 

 the insects under their feet, they picked them to pieces much as 

 a Hawk or an Owl tear their prey. They became very tame and 

 amusing ; but during my temporary absence, unluckily, all died. 



I never heard of this bird on the Moorish side of the Straits. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. 



78. Corvus monedula, Linnaeus. The Jackdaw. 



Spanish. Graja. 



Mr. Drake mentions having met with the Jackdaw near Tetuan, 

 where I did not see any, nor find them anywhere on the African 

 side. Favier also omits the bird from his list. 



On the Spanish side of the Straits they are extremely local, 

 the only locality in which I have seen any being the Goto del 

 Rey, near Seville, where, in 1870, they were common, nesting 

 about the end of April in holes of trees, one or two pairs 

 building in the roof of the Palacio. Jackdaws are also said to 

 be abundant near Granada. 



Black ; ear-coverts, nape, and sides of neck grey ; belly leaden black. 

 Youny. Little or no grey on nape. Length 14 inches. 



G2 



