34 SECRETS OF ANIMAL LIFE 



We shall appreciate the cawing of the rooks 

 better if we inquire into the story of "the black 

 republic in the elms." It is in February that the 

 rooks' spring begins, for then there is the courting. 

 This takes place, not once in a lifetime, but every 

 spring, between mates who have been married for 

 years. For they seem to be monogamous. The 

 cock-bird struts and bows before the hen, and 

 spreads his wings and tail. Moreover, as Gilbert 

 White observed long ago, "rooks, in the breeding 

 season, attempt sometimes, in the gaiety of their 

 hearts, to sing, but with no great success." It should 

 be noted, however, that the singing, the bowing, and 

 the tail-spreading are not restricted to the time of 

 courtship, but may be indulged in at any time of 

 excitement or jollity. Very interesting is Mr. F. B. 

 Kirkman's note that the male bird sometimes 

 brings a tit-bit to his desired mate, which she 

 accepts " with quivering wings and stifled thanks." 

 This offering of love-gifts occurs sporadically 

 among animals. It is part of the ritual which aims 

 at working up the female's excitement, and in the 

 case of the rook and many other birds it finds a 

 second expression, probably the primary one, when 

 the male brings food to the nesting female and to 

 the nestlings. 



The courtship is followed, early in March, by the 

 preparation of the nest. An old nest may be used 

 over again after a thorough spring-cleaning, or a 

 fresh one may be built. As every one knows, there 

 is a good deal of vigorous quarreling over the 



