2 BLACK JACKDAW. 



of the Common Jackdaw. Degland says: — "This is a very doubtful 

 species, I have never seen it. An individual, said to be this species, 

 killed in a garden at Bergues, I am convinced is only a variety of the 

 Common Jackdaw. The specimens indicated by M. Millet, in the 

 'Faune de Maine-et-Loire,' are also Common Jackdaws, according to 

 M. de Lamotte, by whom they have been examined. Vieillot said that 

 a young individual was in the cabinet of the Count di E-iocourt, and 

 an adult in the Museum of Natural History at Paris. M. Selys Long- 

 champs has examined the Paris specimen and found it different, but 

 thought that it had come from North America, because he found it 

 formed part of a lot of skins bought in Poland, and among which 

 were some American species, — among others Sylvia arithoidesr — "Orn. 

 Europ.," vol. i, page 321. 



But this after all is only negative evidence, and not of a very 

 strong kind — for this species is not included among Prince C. Bona- 

 parte's "Birds of North America." Schlegel admits it into the 

 European Catalogue, but refrains from making any remarks ujDon it, 

 because he had never seen the bird; and it is not included in Machado's 

 *'List of the Birds of Andalusia," published in 1854, though Spain 

 has been said to be its head quarters. 



On the other hand it has been admitted as a species by Frisch in 

 1739-63; by Gmelin; by Brisson in 1760: by Yieillot in 1817; Tem- 

 minck in 1835; and Bonaparte, Schlegel, etc., of more modern days'. 



Brisson, one of the most correct naturalists that ever lived, describes 

 it very minutely and clearly. Temminck gives a diagnosis, which as 

 ■will be seen by reference to that of our Common Jackdaw, establishes 

 an important distinction between the two birds. Under these circum- 

 stances, I think the time has hardly arrived at which it may safely 

 be excluded from the European species; though I admit it with doubt. 



It is said by Vieillot to be found inhabiting and breeding in several 

 of the French provinces, and Temminck says he has been assured that 

 it is common in Spain. Nothing appears to be known of its habits 

 or propagation. 



The following is Brisson's description: — "A little less than the Com- 

 mon Jackdaw. Length from tip of beak to end of tail twelve inches 

 and a half, and to the end of the claws eleven inches and three- 

 quarters. Beak fourteen lines; tail four inches and three-quarters; 

 tarsi one inch six lines and a half. From middle of three anterior 

 toes to their junction with claws six lines; the two lateral toes the 

 shortest; hind toe intermediate between them and middle toe. AViufs 

 extend to three-fourths of length of tail. The whole of the body 

 covered with brilliant black feathers. Primaries same colour above. 



