Birds of Britain 



twigs, those with sharp spikes or thorns being used for 

 preference. Inside, a deep cup is made of mud, and inside 

 this again is placed a thick lining of grass. The eggs are 

 six in number and of a bluish colour irregularly dotted, 

 mottled, or splashed with olive brown. It is a strictly 

 resident bird, rarely wandering far from its accustomed 

 haunts and frequently going about in pairs. 



The whole bird is glossy black with bluish and green 

 reflections, except for the scapulars and belly, which are 

 white. The rump is greyish. Length, including tail, 18 in. ; 

 tail 10 in. ; wing 7*75 in. The sexes and young are all 

 much alike in plumage. 



THE JACKDAW 



Corvus monedula, Linnaeus 



Abundant and gregarious in most parts of the country, 

 this species may in winter be found associating with flocks 

 of Eooks in the open pastures and arable land. It is a 

 noisy bird and the call-note " che-ak " will generally warn 

 us of its presence. It is found in all kinds of situations 

 and localities, being equally at home in the wild open 

 country, along the coast, rocky or alluvial, or on arable 

 land, in well-timbered districts, and even in the middle of 

 our busy cities ; but from certain apparently suitable districts 

 it is absent, and although abundant in some towns, in 

 others it is hardly ever found. Along the coast where it 

 does not occur, the Chough still holds its own, but as we 

 noticed under that species the presence of the Jackdaw 

 soon drives away the more delicate bird. 



160 



