Black Thieves. 293 
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beetles were numerous just there (for it was notice- 
able that they chose the same part of the field even- 
ing after evening), and came crawling 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 by their smaller size and 
the quicker beats of their wings, even when not utter- 
ing their well-known cry. Jackdaws will visit the 
hencoops if not close to the house, and help them- 
selves to the food meant for the fowls. Poultry are 
often kept in rickyards, a field or two distant from 
the homestead, and it is then amusing to watch the 
‘impudent attempts of the jackdaws at robbery. Four 
or five will perch on the post and rails, intent on the 
tempting morsels : sitting with their heads a little on 
one side and peering over. Suddenly one thinks he 
sees an opportunity. Down he hops, and takes a 
peck, but before he has hardly seized it, a hen darts 
across, running at him with beak extended like lance 
in rest. Instantly he is up on the rail again, and the 
impetus of the hen’s charge carries her right under 
him. 
Then, while her back is turned, down hops a 
second and helps himself freely. Out rushes another 
hen, and up goes the jackdaw. A pause ensues for a 
few minutes: presently a third black rascal dashes 
right into the midst of the fowls, picks up a morsel, 
and rises again before they can attack him. The way 
