Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-17
JAcKDAw OF TIE ANGEL INN.
He Would Ride About London on the
Buses and the Street Cars.

Buses and the Street Cars.
From the London Telegraph.
Though by no means aged as jackdaws
go, the remarkable bird which has lust
died at the Angel, Brixton, had made a
considerable reputation during the nearly
eleven years of it's association with man
kind, and the original purchase price OF
1Sd, which was paid by its owner. Thomas
Beck, some ten years ago, was but a frac-
ton Of its value at the time of its death.
Wonderful intelligence and no less surpris-
ing originality Of behavior were the char
acteristics of Jack, who was a favorite with
all In the Brixton district. though his roam
ing habits had made him not unfamiliar
in other parts of the METROPOLIS In his
very early and irresponsible youth Jack
was mischievous daw, but after his first
owne., a little SchOolboy, had sold him to
Mr. Beck his manners became more sedate
though they never lacked variety the con-
sequence being that scores of well authenti-
Gated stories are extant Of the birds feats
and his remarkable intelligence and mem
Dry. His first home was a private house
at Chaplain. but after he became an in
mate seven years ago OF the Angel, at the
corner Of Loughborough road he took a
more extended view Of life. until his ex-
for among those who have been to nav him
a visit have been large number of Amer
leans and Australians who seeing, have
coveted this sprightly bird.
Jacks first flight from home was when
he sailed to the roof of house opposite
the Angel. He returned safely to the call
Of his master, but this excursion evidently
gave him confidence, and thenceforward it
was his practice to leave and return to his
home whenever the spirit moved him. In
his restless moods it was his habit to alight
on the tramcars and buses which passed
his door and journey with the conductors to
such places as the Elephant and Castle,
Westminster, Blackfriars bridge and
Streatham. Another favorite resort Of this
strange bird was the police station, whence,
after favoring the constab les with his COM
pany for an hour or two. he would leave
for home on a tramcar like the 1ndepend-
ent citizen he was These habits and the
general friendliness he displayed toward
those who treated him kindly made the jack
daw immense favorite in the neighbor-
hood, and the news of his sudden death
brought great sorrow to his master and
mistress, as well as to his many admirers
At home Jack led a very systematic life
First and foremost he was the confidante
and personal friend of his owner, whom he
remarkable fidelity. An original genius,
Jack scorned the roosting places of ordi-
nary members of his species and chose as
his perch the neck of wine bottle resting
in basket on the bar, counter. Settled
here at bedtime, he sleepily said Good
night in his own bird language to his
master but he was the first up in the morn
ing, and sgnified the same by regularly
rapping at Mr.. Beck's bed room door Hav-
ing superinteded his masters Tubing oper-
atoms, Jack invariably hoped down to
the bar, and, standing in the basin under
the water tap, waited till he received re-
freshing shower This was his daily bath,
which he never neglected.
At the time of his death Jack was mott
ing, and the day before he died he took two
baths, the suggestion bAing that he was
trying to alleviate the tiresome irritation
which accompanied his annual feather
shedding. Whether this had anything 20
do with his death ISIS not known. but the
next morning Jack was found dead under
Heath his extemporized perch. This sharp
witted jackdaw. who was friendly with all
who behaved properly toward him. never
forgot foe, and would unerringly rec
ogniZe and attack persons who had H.
treated him. He was a clever trickster,
and joke he sometimes enjoyed was flying
off with the small change of unobservant
customers. Still, he never made an enemy
Jack will be stuffed and be represented as
perching on the bottle. his grasp of which
he reinquished when death took him.