IHlatiire IRotes : 
tTbe Selborne Society’s nDagastne 
No. 71. NOVEMBER, 1895. Vol. VI. 
THE HOME OF THE JACKDAWS. 
NE of the most interesting birds to study, in his intimate 
relations and habits, at home, is the jackdaw. We are 
seldom, it is true, able to trace the bird’s ways in any 
other than some abnormal habit, such as he has, it is 
to be feared, acquired from his patrons or protectors. He has 
been given to the purloining of unconsidered trifles that may 
have been left about, or even of more valuable articles that have 
somehow come within his reach, more especially if they have 
been in any way tempting in form or colour. The jackdaw that 
we hear the most about had, at a great church festival, behaved 
so badly that, at length. 
“The monks with awe, as his pranks they saw. 
Said ‘ The Devil must be in that little jackdaw ! 
.Afterwards this jackdaw carried off the Lord Cardinal’s turquoise 
ring, and was excommunicated, with the dire result that, when 
next discovered, he was 
“ No longer gay, as on yesterday, 
His feathers all seemed to be turned the wrong way ; 
His pinions drooped, he could hardly stand, 
His head was as bald as the palm of your hand ; 
His eye so dim, so wasted each limb, 
That, heedless of grammar, the monks cried ‘ That’s him ! 
That’s the rogue that has done this scandalous thing. 
That’s the thief that has stolen the Lord Cardinal’s ring ! ’” 
We all know, by frequent recitations, how that jackdaw 
repented, was received into the bosom of the Church, and that he 
“ Long lived the pride of that country side, 
And at length in the odour of sanctity died ; 
When, as words were too faint his merit to paint, 
The Conclave determined to make him a saint.” 
