Birds. 2563 



would say, " Let us keep the rooks from our corn during seed-time 

 (except under peculiar circumstances), when the corn is ripening, and 

 also from our cabbage and potato-fields ; but by no means cause the 

 destruction of birds, which are of such essential service to the agri- 

 culture of a district, and whose loss, if effected, could with difficulty 

 be replaced." Independently, too, of the good services they render 

 us, there is something peculiarly pleasing in the regularity with which 

 they come every morning to feed in our meadows, and wing their way 

 again to their rookeries at night, — in their pleasant cawings and joy- 

 ous manoeuvres, and the busy and bustling aspect presented by their 

 nesting-trees in spring ; and I never hear of their being killed wan- 

 tonly without regret. 



Jackdaw {Corvus nonedula). Very abundant in the parks of Calke 

 and Donnington, where they build their nests in the venerable oaks, 

 in the holes and crevices of the boles, and not in the branches. Few 

 birds seem to enjoy the bland sunny weather, sometimes occurring in 

 the middle of winter, more than these. After sitting awhile on the 

 bare boughs of the old oaks, preening and solacing themselves, open- 

 ing their wings towards the sun, and occasionally playing and toying 

 with each other; the whole body, perhaps, rises suddenly on the 

 wing (as if some motive influenced the whole body) to the height 

 of thirty or forty feet above the trees, and keep up a continuous caw- 

 ing in a sharp, chiding manner, but not unpleasing to listen to ; and 

 when they have amused themselves for several minutes, settle down 

 again upon the trees, and at short intervals repeat the feat ; perhaps a 

 dozen times in the course of an hour. 



Magpie {Corvus pica). Magpies have a curious habit of alighting 

 on the backs of sheep, when depastured in our fields, to pick out the 

 lice with which the fleece abounds, more especially on sunny days, 

 when, owing the unusual warmth, they creep towards the surface of 

 the fleece. They also visit the backs of cows in order to procure a 

 large maggot-like grub, which is sometimes found imbedded in their 

 hides,* and which appears a favourite morsel. In both instances, good 

 service is rendered to these animals, by ridding them of these dis- 

 agreeable companions. The magpie is looked upon by many people 

 in these parts as a bird of ill-omen ; they suppose that when he comes 

 in the neighbourhood of a house where sickness prevails, a death 

 is sure to occur to an inmate. Now, it has been repeatedly noticed 

 by others, as well as myself, that when disease is prevalent in a house, 

 this pie is sure to come chattering about ; but I think the reason is 

 * The larva of (Estrus Bovis.— E. N. 



