J/A GPIE—JA CKDA W. 
Hadfield noted in the ''Zoologist" of 1866, under the 
date "November, 1865": "Magpie. Is now to be met 
with in flocks." 
Mr. Poole remarks that it is now common, though 
much persecuted in the island ; there are several pairs 
on Shanklin Downs, but they seldom are able to rear 
their young. 
Gilbert White ^ has remarked on their flight — they 
" flutter with powerless wings, and make no despatch." 
Genus — Corvtts. 
95. Corvtis mo7iedula. Jackdaw. 
" . . . . remembering her old ruin'd hall, 
And all the whidy clamour of the daws 
About the hollow turret . . . ." 
Tennyson^s " Geraint and Enid." 
A common resident in all parts. 
Most plentiful near habitations ; it has of late years 
increased so much that it has displaced, during the nesting- 
season, many rarer birds. The chough and the sheldrake 
have, no doubt, in many instances, been driven from their 
nesting holes on the coast by this bird ; and inland it 
constantly disputes with owls and stockdoves for the 
possession of hollow trees. 
It also frequently nests in the rabbit burrows among 
the roots of old trees, every hole of which in the trunk 
and branches may be also occupied by others of its 
' Letter xhi. to Barrington. Selborne. August 7th, 1778. 
