138 BLACK JACKDAW. 
minck gives a diagnosis, which as will be seen by 
reference to that of our Common Jackdaw, establishes 
an important distinction between the two birds. Under 
these circumstances, I think the time has hardly arrived 
at which it may safely be excluded from the European 
species; though I admit it with doubt. 
It is said by Vieillot to be found inhabiting and 
breeding in several of the French provinces, and 
Temminck says he has been assured that it is common 
in Spain. Nothing appears to be known of its habits 
or propagation. 
The following is Brisson’s description:—‘A little less 
than the Common Jackdaw. Length from tip of beak 
to end of tail twelve inches and a half, and to the 
end of the claws eleven inches and_ three-quarters. 
Beak fourteen lines; tail four imches and three-quarters ; 
tarsi one inch six lines and a half. From middle of 
three anterior toes to their junction with claws six 
lines; the two lateral toes the shortest; hind toe inter- 
mediate between them and middle toe. Wings extend 
to three-fourths of length of tail. The whole of the 
body covered with brilliant black feathers. Primaries 
same colour above, beneath like all the under parts, 
not so splendid a black as the upper. First primary 
shortest, fourth longest of all. ‘Tail composed of twelve 
feathers, same colour as secondaries, namely, brilliant 
black above, duller black below. There is on each 
side of the head a crescent of a deep black, of which 
the concave part is turned towards the eyes. The 
feathers covering the nostrils are long and thick. ‘The © 
eyes are surrounded with small white points; pupils 
black, irides bluish. Beak, feet, and claws black. 
Habitat, ruined towers and walls, where it builds. 
In the Museum of M. de Reaumur.” 
