JACKDAWS. 
249 
with guests, always seeming to prefer the company 
of man, as they are continually seen hopping about 
near houses, and rarely to be met w r ith in w r oods or 
retired places. They are, however, important bene- 
factors to the Indians, making ample compensation 
for their intrusion and knavery; for they are all 
voracious devourers of carrion, and instantly consume 
all sorts of dirt, offal, or dead vermin ; they, in fact, 
carry off those substances, which, if allowed to re- 
main, would in that hot climate, produce the most 
noxious smells, and probably give rise to putrid dis- 
orders. On this account they are much esteemed 
by the natives ; their mischievous tricks and impu- 
dence are put up with, and they are never suffered 
to be 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 habita- 
tions, both houses or 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 fire, 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 perch on a 
tree, while the hunter is baiting his Marten-traps, 
and, as soon as his back is turned, alight on the 
ground, and eat the baits. 
Thus, all over the world, the Jackdaw tribe are 
notoriously given to pilfering. Whatever it sees it 
* Hearke’s Travels . 
