73 



THE JACKDAW. 



(Corvus monedula.) 



The Jackdaw is considerably smaller than the Crow. 

 The crown of its head is black, the nape and throat grey 

 at the sides ; the back and the tail also black ; the under- 

 part slatey-grey and black. The plumage and eyes of 

 the Jackdaw become whitish in old age. It builds its 

 nest in hollow trees, in the clefts of banks and of old 

 masonry, and in towns between the ornamental parts of 

 buildings. The eggs, which usually are five in number, 

 are of a light bluish-green speckled with dark grey and 

 olive brown. 



The movements of this bird are quick and active, it is 

 light on the wing, busy in flight and call. Its cry 

 sounds like " Cdee, Caee." Heard from a height it 

 attracts attention to the approaching birds. Jackdaws 

 usually fly in small flocks; they mix with other Crows 

 and roam about the fields and meadows with them. 

 It is a confiding bird, that not only visits large 

 towns, but actually dwells in them. It is true that it 

 does not despise a brood of young birds, if fortunate 

 enough to secure one; but its principal food consists of 

 the numerous insects, maggots, worms, caterpillars, and 

 other creatures which the plough discovers with the 

 upturned clod in field and meadow. It is pleasant to 

 observe the bird following the ploughman at a distance 

 of five or six paces, watching with its sharp, bright eyes 

 for what the ploughshare may turn up and descrying, 

 instantly, even the very tiniest grub or maggot. The 

 slight harm which it may do among the young birds or 



