In general the birds that are less punctilious multiply at
the expense of the more sensitive ; that is peculiarly apparent with owls. The barn owl, which is most particular, grows scarce. The brown owl, which has nowadays the courage to invade town and suburb. multiplies ; and like the little owl, which also multiplies, it will take to a hole in the ground, if there is no hollow tree available, for personal protection. In one unused chimney in a Midland town the brown owl and the jackdaws— also a multiplying tribe--have competed for the building site. The jackdaw, again, has quite ousted the rare chough from his favourite breeding sites. He is now only to he found in the extremities of the land and is rare even there. I sought him in vain this year, though we found several old nests, in a remote western island held to be his favourite haunt ; and the pairs are fewer in Cornwall than was hoped. Some that were reported proved to be jackdaws, which are often called
"chows "—or so it would seem—in local speech. It is a final insult that the unfortunate chough should be mistaken for his mortal enemy. * * * *
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