As regards this particular bird, it is not only elegant in its appearance, but amiable and attractive in all its ways. “They are,” says Bewick, “very attentive to their young, and continue to feed and train them for three or four weeks after they can fly; they defend them with great courage when in danger, or endeavour to draw aside the enemy by various little arts. They are very attentive also to the cleanliness of their nests, and so orderly as to have been known to remove light substances, such as paper or straw, which have been placed to mark the spot.” As regards this proof of their love of order, however, I would rather suggest that it may be a proof of their sagacity and sense of danger: they suspected that some human visitor, of whose friendly character they were not convinced, was intending to look in upon them, and they thought it best, therefore, to decline the honour of his visit. The ordinary note of this bird, uttered rapidly if alarmed, is a sort of _cheep, cheep_. In the summer morning, however, it may be heard singing a pleasant, mellow and modulated little song. Like the swallow, for which it is a match in elegance, it lives entirely on insects. If you would only stand silently for a few minutes by a water-side, where it haunts, you would be delighted with the grace and activity of its movements. “There it stands,” says one of its friends, “on the top of a stone, gently vibrating its tail, as if balancing itself. An insect flies near; it darts off, flutters a moment in the air, seizes its prey, and settles on another stone, spreading and vibrating its tail. Presently it makes another sally, flutters around for a while, seizes two or three insects, glides over the ground, swerving to either side, then again takes its stand on a pinnacle.” Not unfrequently too it may be seen on the roof of a house, or in a village street, still in pursuit of insects. [Illustration] CHAPTER XIV. THE JACKDAW. We have called the Rook and Jackdaw first cousins. They are so, and are greatly attached to each other. There is a difference, however, in their character; the rook is grave and dignified, the jackdaw is active and full of fun. But they are fond of each other’s society, and agree to associate for nine months in the year: during the other three they are both occupied with their respective family cares. [Illustration: JACKDAWS AND NESTLINGS. [Page 82. ]