Jackdaws. 71 



pleasantly, be certain that 3-011 will hear it night after 

 night coming with a throbbing jo3'fulness through the 

 starlit air — ever}^ note of the peal rising clear and 

 distinct at the exact moment of time, as if struck 

 b^' machiner}^ yet with a quivering undertone that 

 dwells on the ear after the wave of sound has gone. 

 Then go out and walk in the garden or field, for it is 

 a noble music ; remember, too, that it is a music 

 that has echoed from the hills hundreds and hun- 

 dreds of years. Rude men as thej^ are, these bell- 

 ringers gratefully respond to the least appreciation 

 of their art. 



A few more turns about the spiral staircase, and 

 then step out on the roof. The footstep is deadened 

 by the dull-colored lead, oxidized from exposure. 

 The tarnished weathercock above revolves so stiffl}^ 

 as to be heedless of the light air, — onl}' facing a 

 strong breeze. The irreverent jackdaws, now wheel- 

 ing round at a safe distance, build in everj^ coign of 

 vantage, no matter how incongruous their intrusion 

 may be — on the wings of an angel, behind the 

 flowing robe of St. Peter, or yonder in the niche, 

 gra}' and lichen-grown, where stood the Virgin Mary 

 before iconoclastic hands dashed her image to the 

 ground. If a gargoyle be broken or choked so that 

 no water comes through it, they will use it, but not 

 otherwise. And they have nests, too, just on the 

 ledge in the thickness of the wall, outside those bel- 

 fry windows which are partially boarded up. Any- 

 where, in short, high up and well sheltered, suits the 

 jackdaw. 



When nesting time is over, jackdaws seem to leave 

 the church and roost with the rooks ; they use the 



