BLACK JACKDAW. 3 



beneath like all the under parts, not so splendid a black as the upper. 

 First primary shortest, fourth longest of all. Tail composed of twelve 

 feathers, same colour as secondaries, namely, brilliant black above, 

 duller black below. There is on each side of the head a crescent o 

 a deep black, of which the concave part is turned towards the eyes. 

 The feathers covering the nostrils are long and thick. The eyes are 

 surrounded with small white points; pupils black, irides bluish. Beak, 

 feet, and claws black. 



Habitat, ruined towers and walls, where it builds. In the Museum 

 of M. de Eeaumur." 



In this description it will be seen that Brisson differs from Tem- 

 minck in the length of the primaries. First shortest, fourth longest; 

 while Temminck says: — "First quill longer than the ninth, third and 

 fourth equal." 



The following is M. Temminck's diagnosis of C. monedula, the 

 Common Jackdaw : — " First quill shorter than the ninth, second and 

 fifth equal, the fourth shorter than the third." 



Figured by Buifoii, pi. Elum 522; Eoux, Orn. Prov., pi. 133; Gould, 

 Suj)p., pi. B. of E. 



