JACKDAW. 207 



and breadth of Europe : it inhabits Denmark and Russia, 

 Iceland, Shetland, and the Orkneys : it is common in Scot- 

 land, and throughout England to the coasts of the Isle of 

 Wight. In Belgium it inhabits towns and cities, and builds, 

 as here, either in lofty buildings or in fissures in the rocks : 

 this species is also very common in Holland. It is found in 

 Corfu, where it is sedentary, and inhabits also the island of 

 Crete, and breeds at the foot of the mountains. In Asia this 

 bird is found in Siberia, and in various other countries, as far 

 as the most eastern part, being very common in Japan. It 

 has also been observed in Asia Minor. This species does 

 not, it is believed, inhabit America, nor is it known to exist 

 in Africa. 



The entire plumage of the Jackdaw consists of rusty black, 

 and smoke grey; the latter colour occupying the cheeks and 

 nape of the neck, and upper part of the scapulars, the former 

 covering the head, the orbits of the eyes, the chin and breast, 

 and all the rest of the body. The beak and legs are black ; 

 the iris pearl white. 



The entire length of this species is fourteen or fifteen 

 inches : the female is rather smaller, and the grey upon her 

 nape not so pure as in the male. Young males do not 

 acquire the pure grey upon their necks that characterises the 

 adult until the second or third year. 



The egg of the Jackdaw is figured 128. 



