260 Jackdaws. 



trict, in tlie line of the eastward flight, belonged 

 to a ' chase ' of which several written notices are 

 extant. 



The habits of rooks seem more regular in winter 

 than in summer. In winter the flocks going out in 

 the morning or returning in the evening appear to 

 pass nearly at the same hour day after day. But in 

 summer they often stay about late. This last sum- 

 mer ( 1878 ) T noticed a whole flock, some hundreds 

 in number, remaining out till late — till quite dusk — 

 night after night, and always in the same place. It 

 was an arable field, and there they stood close to- 

 gether on the ground, so close that in spots it was 

 difficult to distinguish individuals. They were silent 

 and still, making no apparent attempt at feeding. 

 The only motion I observed was when a few birds 

 arrived and alighted among them. Where they thus 

 crowded together the earth was literal!}' black. 



It was about three-quarters of a mile from their 

 nesting-trees, but nesting bad been over for more than 

 two months. This particular field had recently been 

 ploughed by steam tackle, and was the only one for 

 a considerable distance that had been ploughed for 

 some time. There they stood motionless, side by 

 side, as if roosting on the ground ; possibly certain 

 beetles were numerous just there ( for it was notice- 

 able that ihaj chose the same part of the field even- 

 ing after evening ) , and came ci"awling up out of the 

 earth at night. 



The jackdaws which — so soon as the rooks pack 

 after nesting and fly in large flocks — are always 

 with them, may be distinguished b}^ their smaller 

 size and the quicker beats of their wings, even when 



