THE JACKDAW. 



Corvus monedula, Linnseus. 

 {Frontispiece.) 



The Jackdaw is a common and well-known bird throughout the greater part of 

 the British Islands, often to be seen in company with Rooks. It is also found all 

 over Europe, in Asia, and North Africa. 



It makes its nest in hollow trees, crannies and holes in the stonework of 

 churches, ruined castles, and other buildings ; sometimes in cliffs, or even under- 

 ground in rabbit burrows. 



This is usually a large structure composed of sticks, snugly lined with wool and 

 fur, and holds from four to seven eggs, greenish- or bluish-white in ground colour, 

 marked and blotched with black or purplish-brown. 



The call-note of the Jackdaw is a sharper and shorter caw, or rather cae, than 

 that of the Rook, and the birds may easily be distinguished when flying in 

 company overhead by their smaller size and different note. 



It lives on much the same diet as its larger relation, viz. insects, worms, grubs, 

 &c., and also on eggs when they can be obtained. 



The Jackdaw is a sociable bird, seeking its food in fields and meadows, as well 

 as by the sea, in companionship with its fellows. 



The female is very like the male in colour, except that she has a less noticeable 

 collar of grey. 



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