CHAPTER XIV. 



THE JACKDAW. 



We have called the Rook and Jackdaw first cousins. They 

 are so, and are greatly attached to each other. There is a 

 ■ difference, however, in their character ; the rook is grave and 

 dignified, the jackdaw is active and full of fun. But they are 

 fond of each other's society, and agree to associate for nine 

 months in the year: during the other three they are both occupied 

 with their respective family cares. 



Rooks build in trees in the open air, the nests of the young 

 being exposed to all the influences of wind and weather. The 

 jackdaw does not approve of this mode. He likes to live under 

 cover, and, therefore, makes his nest in holes and crannies, 

 amongst rocks, as in our picture ; in old and tall buildings, as 

 church towers and steeples, old ruinous castles, or old hollow 

 trees. The traditional structure of the family nest is certainly 

 that of the rook ; a strong frame-work of sticks upon which the 

 eggs can be laid, and the clamorous young jackdaws be 

 brought up. This our friend Mr. Weir has shown us plainly. 

 But, after all, it does not appear that the jackdaw, with all his 

 sharpness, has much scientific knowledge, the getting the 

 sticks into the hole being often a very difficult piece of 

 work. Mr. Waterton amused himself by watching the endless 

 labour and pains which the jackdaw takes in trying to do 



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