Food. 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
Varieties. 
76 OMNIVORI. CORVUS. J ACKDAW. 
larger end. The Jackdaw is an omnivorous bird, feeding 
upon worms, insects, grain, fruit, eggs of various birds, and 
carrion. It is gregarious, often associating in considerable 
numbers with rooks during the autumn and winter. It can 
be easily domesticated, soon becomes remarkably familiar, and 
may be taught to articulate various words distinctly. It is, 
however, at the same time very mischievous, and, like the 
raven, has its particular hiding-places, where it not only de- 
posits part of its provision, but whatever it can purloin in the 
course of its domestic rounds. 
It is generally found throughout Europe, and, according 
to 'TEMMINCK, is very abundant in Holland. 
PiaTE 31. Fig 1. Natural size. 
Bill black. Inrides greyish-white. Top of the head black, 
with violet reflections, the feathers distinct and rounded. 
Back part of the head and nape of the neck dark smoke- 
grey, the feathers open and silky in texture. Upper 
parts greyish-black. Wing coverts and secondary quills 
black, glossed with blue and violet. Under parts bluish- 
black. Legs, toes and claws black. 
White varieties are sometimes met with, and in these chs 
irides are red. Others entirely black, or black and 
white, are mentioned by different authors. 
SECTION II. 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS. 
Having the tail long, and wedge-shaped at the end. 
Magpie.—Corvus pica, Linn. 
PLATE 81. Fig. 2. 
Corvus Pica, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 157. 13.—Fau. Suec. No. 92.—Gmel. Syst. 1. 
p- 373.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. y. 1. 162. sp. 32.—Raii, Syn. p. 41. A. 1.— 
