44 BIRDS AND MAN 



know that all these various creatures are abso- 

 lutely harmless, from the big formidable-looking 

 bull and roaring stag, to the mild-eyed, timorous 

 hare and rabbit. It is common to see wagtails 

 and other species attending cattle in the pastures, 

 and keeping close to their noses, on the look-out 

 for the small insects driven from hiding in the 

 grass. Daws and starlings search the backs of 

 cattle and sheep for ticks and other parasites, 

 and it is plain that their visits are welcome. 

 Here a joint interest unites bird and beast ; it 

 is the nearest approach to symbiosis among the 

 higher vertebrates of this country, but is far 

 less advanced than the partnership which exists 

 between the rhinoceros bird and rhinoceros or 

 buffalo, and between the spur-winged plover and 

 crocodile in Africa. 



One day I was walking in a meadow where 

 several cows were grazing, and noticed a little 

 beyond them a number of rooks and starhngs 

 scattered about. Presently a flock of about forty 

 jackdaws flew over me and slanted down to join 

 the other birds, when all at once two daws 

 dropped out of the flock on to the back of the 

 cow standing nearest to me. Immediately five 



