shooting was found impracticable; and this plan was dis qipmved of by tin1 owner. The loss of an enormous
quantity of glass was consequently entaUed every spring. In chalk-pits these birds an- looked upon as an
especial nuisance when they tako up their quarters above the spot where the workmen are employed. Some
years ago, while I was shooting a pair or two which I required as specimens, at Olfliam, near Lewes, I
remarked that the men kept loudly expressing their pleasure as each poor .lack came to grief. One old fellow
was particularly eager to render assistance by driving the birds, though hi- over-anxiety caused two or three
chances to lie lost. 1 was on the point of inquiring the cause of his animosity, when he removed his hat and
exhibited a plate on his bead. This he stated was the result of a fractured skull, caused by the fall of a piece
or elialk dislodged by a Jackdaw from the upper part of the pit.
Wo are visited in the autumn by large numbers of these birds that cross the North Sea. I have met with
them frequently OIL the passage many miles from land, and have also received a few wings from the light-ships
on which they have fallen disabled. Several tiroes after a gale at that period I have seen them tloaliug either
dead or dying on the water, not having had strength sufficient to complete their journey. I am ignorant
whether any return in the spring to the north of Europe, aa 1 have never observed them at that season or
hitird of their capture on the light-ships while crossing. In severe weather, when the mixed flights of small
bird* migrate along the south coast towards the west, 1 have occasionally noticed a few Jackdaws following the
same course, generally in company with Rooks.
This species is easily accommodated with a Boat ing-phice ; a hole in a tree or a cavity in elilFs (cither chalk
or rock) suits him as well as the comfortable quarters he occasionally secures in a lofty steeple or the
battlements of some antiquated tower. In the Highlands I hale frequently found large colonies breeding
in nilihit-burrows. The holes they selected were generally in rough and broken ground on the face of some
itoop hill rid II These birds, I believe, do not commence their nesting-operations so early ns Hooks. I noticed
two or three pairs on the 28th of March, 1880, attempting to force their nay into some hides near the roof
of a large building in a town in Norfolk, where they had previously been in the habit of breeding. During
the winter iron burs had been placed in front of the apertures; and the noisy and fruitless efforts of the
birds to elfeet an entrance were most amusing, and were continued at intervals for several days.
On the Bass Rock Jackdaws were formerly common, breeding in holes iu the turf near the summit. At
last their depredations on the eggs of the sen-fowl induced the person who hired the rock to tako steps to
kill them down. For this purpose he unfortunately made use of poison laid out on bread anil butter, which
certainly had the desired enoet on the Juckdnws ; hut it also cleared otf nearly the whole of the larger Scn-Gulls
that resorted to the rock. Whether the Daws have returned again I am unable to state. On the last occasion
I carefully- examined the various birds during the summer. 1 did not observe n single specimen.
I mot with a curious breeding-station of this species wilhin a short distance of tin- rocks known us the
" Suitors," ou the coast of Cromarty, overlooking the Moray firth. The greater number of the nests were
placed among the stalks of the coarse ivy that climbed up tin- face of the dill's, in several instances in close
proximity and even joined to those of the Herons, who also breed in tin' same range of rocks. I did not
observe that they molested their neighbours, though I should imagine an exposed egg must at times have been
a temptation almost too strong to he resisted.
Jackdaws arc in some districts asserted to relieve sheep of a number of the ticks with which they arc
infested. As they are, however, declared occasionally to steal a quantity of the wool, it must be doubtful
whether their visits are conducive to the interests of the farmer, or even beneliehd to the sheep themselves.
M A G P I E .
PICA CAVI) AT A
I s the more northern counties of Scotland the Magpie appears decidedly scarce A few pairs came under
my observation in the south-cast of Sutherland shire; and I have also watched a bird or two crossing the
waters of the Kyle from the woods above Bonor Bridirc to the opposite shores of Ross-shire. In the latter
county it is not uncommon; in the neighbourhood of Tain several pairs are to lie seen, nesting in some
instances in gardens close to the highroad. In Invenicss-shirc and Perthshire, the greater part of the country
(with the exception of those portions that arc let as " forests ") is too well looked after to suit the species ;
still the Magpie is to be met with in certain localities. In the south of Scotland it appears by no means
abundant; during a residence of a couple of years iu East Lothian I had but few opportunities of
studying its habits. Over England it is generally distributed; some twenty years ago it was common in the
east of Sussex, but its numbers have now decreased. In Yorkshire I have observed large docks during
winter, having counted at times between thirty and forty keeping company in tin1 neighbourhood of lloncaster.
In Cornwall 1 met with several pairs frequenting the vicinity of the coast-line in the western division of the
county during the autumn of 1880.
A male of this species, which J observed flying along the Cornish roast while a fresh breeze from the east
was blowing, exhibited a most singular method of progression. This Magpie (the only one 1 ever noticed
venturing any distance olf the land) was making for the rocks to the Mai of Latnorna Cove, and was evidently
somewhat incommoded by the length of his tail, which was carried by the wind right underneath the body.
The length of the caudal feathers, and the upright manner in which he was forced to proceed, rendered bis
appearance exceedingly strange. Of course it is possible that the bird might have been slightly wounded,
causing the hind quarters to droop; still I imagine [seldom, if ever, having -ecu one lar from shelter during
a strong breeze) that the Magpie must find his long and handsome tail-feathers difficult to manage if he is
ever iu the habil of migrating across the stormy ocean.
There is, I am afraid, but little that can be said in favour of this showy bird. At certain seasons he is
forced to seek a living by honest means; but plunder, such as eggs or young bird*, is always preferred when
available. To carrion, 1 am of opinion, he has not the slightest objection, llav ing on more than one occasion
closely watched the tactics of an old Magpie busily engagisl in foraging lor its newly-hatched brood, I conclude
that, after the manner of all I he Crow tribe, any small quadrupeds, such as mice or young rats, if caught in the
open, would at once be pounced upon and seized as prey, Doubtless a considerable number of injurious
grubs and insects arc also consumed in the course of a year
Though tlii' Magpie exhibits the greatest caution when aware that his actions are watched, and commonly
atfonls an immense amount of labour to those who endeavour to cuconqmss bis di-struetiou by means of powder
and shot, vet lie speedily fills a victim t > a well-laid trap baited wilt, an egg Early iu the spring I have
captured numbers by this bail iu both the northern and southern counties. In localities where game