206 
JACKDAWS. 
are built open, and much exposed to intruders. In the town 
of Colombo, where they are in the habit of picking up hones 
and other things from the streets and yards, and carrying 
them to the tops of the houses, a battle usually takes place | 
for the plunder, to the great annoyance of the people below, i 
on whose heads they shower down the loosened tiles, leaving jj 
the roofs exposed to the weather. They frequently snatch |! 
bread and meat from the dining-tahle, even when it is sur- jj 
rounded with guests, always seeming to prefer the company 
of man, as they are continually seen hopping about near jj 
houses, and rarely to he met with in woods or retired places, ji 
They are, however, important benefactors to the Indians, jj 
making ample compensation for their intrusion and knavery; 
for they are all voracious devourers of carrion, and instantly j s 
consume all sorts of dirt, offal, or dead vermin ; they, in fact, j 
carry off those substances which, if allowed to remain, would, 
in that hot climate, produce the most noxious smells, and 
probably give rise to putrid disorders. On this account they 
are much esteemed by the natives ; their mischievous tricks 
and impudence are put up with, and they are never suffered 
to he shot or otherwise molested. 
In North America there is a small species, called the 
Cinereous Crow, which also much resembles the Jackdaw, and 
is near akin to him. It is described^ as very familiar, and 
fond of frequenting habitations, both houses and tents ; and 
so much given to pilfering, that no provisions it can come at, 
either fresh or salt, are safe from its depredations. It is so 
bold as to come into tents, and sit on the edge of the kettle 
when hanging over the lire, and steal victuals out of the 
dishes. It is very troublesome to the hunters, both English 
and Indian, frequently following them a whole day. It will 1 
perch on a tree, while the hunter is baiting his martin-traps, \ 
and, as soon as his back is turned, alight on the ground, and 
eat the baits. I 
Thus, all over the world, the Jackdaw tribe is notoriously ! 
given to pilfering. Whatever it sees it considers a prize, and 
Hearne’s Travels. 
