British Corridae. 
69 
nest. The majority of those which I reared were aUowed 
to run loose. Picture to yourself (>ighteen youngstej-o, just 
able to strut uiu'ertaiuly about the lawn. Tiiey knew their 
feeding time to the minute, and if the smallest delay occurred 
they would set up a deafening chorus of " caws." They would 
stand in a row, with beaks wide open, expostulating and de- 
manding attention. It was impossible to sit undisturbed in 
their vicinity when they grew older and able to move about.. 
They would settle on my head, shoulders, and knees, and occa- 
sionalh enliven proceedings with a loud " squawk " in my 
ear, making me jump with the sudden attack of noise. The 
following season two of this lot nested in a hollow tree near 
the house, and each year since they have successfully reared 
their young. They used to come down to be fed, but would 
not again take food from the hand. The adult Jackdaw 
appears at his best in winter, when his plumage positively 
shines, and each succeeding year adds to his beauty. All the 
Crow-tribe are at their best in winter. The cold is infinitely 
preferred to the heat of summer months. 
The Magpie {Pica rustica): A species which is gradu- 
ally becoming scarcer, in most districts, owing, principally, to 
its persecution by gamekeepers. Their nest is usually to be 
found in the summits of tall trees, and is made of sticks, and 
