A JACKDAW NURSERY 111 



worked daily at the hut, and it proves that an under- 

 keeper may not know all that is to be known about 

 sparrow-hawks and their ways. 



Among the birds not loved by keepers are jackdaws. 

 One old keeper friend of ours has brought hundreds 

 of jackdaws to a bad end. One evening, 

 years ago, when walking through a park, 

 Nursery n ^ s k een eyes noticed a hole high up in the 

 stem of an ash-tree ; and as he looked, out 

 flew a jackdaw never to return. Passing that way 

 again, another jackdaw flew out, and paid the penalty 

 of living in that keeper's preserves. He found the 

 hole to be a favourite place for these birds, for it 

 made an excellent nursery for the young. Season 

 after season, the keeper kept his eye on the hole. 

 As he went by, he would make a peculiar squeaking 

 noise, which would call out any birds that might 

 be at home. The stem of the tree about the hole 

 became riddled with shot with such curious effect 

 that when the tree fell the keeper cut out the section 

 containing the hole ; and it may be seen in his 

 parlour, among other treasures, to this day. 



The gamekeeper is a trained detective. He is for 

 ever setting a trap to catch a poacher. Across a 

 ride where poachers may come at night, he will 

 stretch a piece of invisible twine or wire, and he 



