Mr. Watertoii s Opinion. 83 



handkerchief, a child's cap, a muslin frill, and several other 

 things which the busy jackdaw had picked up in various ways ; 

 for it must be borne in mind that he is own cousin to the magpie, 

 whose thievish propensities are well known. 



The call of the jackdaw is much quicker and more lively 

 than the rook, somewhat resembling the syllable yak, variously 

 modulated, and repeated somewhat leisurely, but at the same 

 time cheerfully. Its food is similar to that of the rook, and 

 going forth at early dawn it may be seen in pastures or ploughed 

 fields, busily searching for larvae, worms, and insects. They 

 walk gracefully, with none of the solemn gravity either of 

 the rook or raven, and may occasionally be seen running along 

 and sometimes quarrelling amongst themselves. 



Like the rook, the jackdaw stows away food in its mouth or 

 throat-bag to feed its young. Its plumage is black, with shining 

 silvery grey behind the head. Occasionally they are found 

 with streaks or patches of white, as are also rooks, but these 

 are mere sports of nature. 



Mr. Waterton was of opinion that jackdaws lived in pairs all 

 the year round, as he had seen them sitting in November on 

 the leafless branches of a sycamore, side by side, pruning each 

 other's heads, and apparently full of mutual affection ; and as they 

 mostly left the trees in pairs, and so returned, he was inclined 

 to think that it was their custom always to remain paired. 



I will now give you his carte de visile from Macgillivray's 

 " British Birds." " He is a remarkably active, pert, and talkative 

 little fellow, ever cheerful, always on the alert, and ready either 

 for business or frolic. If not so respectable as the grave and 

 sagacious raven, he is, at least, the most agreeable of the 



