RAVENS. 



2 77 



its prey rather by extreme craft than by open warfare, for even Thrushes and other small birds can 

 scare it from their nests, into which, however, it often manages to steal if left unguarded only for a 

 moment ; it will also attempt to seize young chickens, but is at once baulked of its purpose if startled 

 by an angry cluck from the hen. Large quantities of seeds, all kinds of insects, and flesh are also 

 eaten by these birds. During the autumn the maple, oak, and other similar trees are thickly covered 

 by swarms of Blue Jackdaws, who not only satisfy their present wants, but carry off large quantities 

 of seeds or acorns, storing them up as a provision for the winter, and by this means greatly assist in 

 spreading the growth of these trees over the face of the country. 



The number of broods varies with the district in which the Jackdaws are found, some breeding 

 but once and others twice in the year ; the nest is formed of twigs and other dry materials, lined 



THE COMMON JAY (Garmlus glandarius). 



with a bed of delicate fibres, on which, in due season, four or five eggs are deposited ; these latter 

 are olive brown, marked with dark spots. During the time that the mother is sitting the male 

 employs every precaution to prevent the discovery of his young family ; he visits his mate with the 

 utmost secrecy, and preserves the strictest silence while in her company. The young are fed prin- 

 cipally upon insects. Nestlings may be easily reared in confinement, but it is never safe to trust the 

 Blue Jackdaw in an aviary with other birds, as it is not uncommon, under these circumstances, for it 

 to destroy its companions one after another. Audubon gives a most interesting account of an attempt 

 he made to naturalise this species in Europe, but which unfortunately proved abortive ; the birds, 

 about thirty in number, destined to make the experiment were placed by him in a large cage, and at 

 first exhibited every symptom of fear, refusing the food he proffered them, and crouching in the corners 



