148 EXCHANGE. 



kind hospitality of the owner has enabled me to enjoy. Upon my last visit, 

 a few days back, he told me the Rooks were unusually late this year in 

 commencing their building operations; a circumstance easily accounted for, 

 by the severity of the weather at the beginning of this month. He also 

 informed me that these birds in pairing, display marked affection and con- 

 stancy; and if by mischance or otherwise one of a couple should be destroyed, 

 the survivor does not seek another mate, but remains in single blessedness. 

 The readers of "The Naturalist" will form their own opinion upon the truth 

 of this statement. I only repeat what my friend has said, and he has 

 excellent opportunities and leisure for investigation. 



It is not intended in this communication to enter upon a history of 

 Rooks, or a description of their manifold services to agriculture; these sub- 

 jects have been fully and extensively treated by learned and competent 

 writers. And the usefulness of these birds at all seasons of the year are 

 so generally known and appreciated, as to render the attempt intrusive, and 

 from an individual so unlearned as myself, simply a piece of vanity. I have 

 therefore only noticed the particular acts of usefulness which came under 

 my own observations in connection with, and illustrative of, the matter in 

 reply to the query of "The Naturalist." — Thomas Fuller, Weston Road, 

 Bath, March 25th., 1858. 



I should be glad if any of the readers of "The Naturalist" could inform 

 me whether there is any book published on the subject of trapping and 

 snaring wild animals and vermin, with instructions in the art. — B. 



A cockney reader would also be glad to know the best modes of distin- 

 guishing the old from the young in the choosing of game and poultry. — 

 Idem. 



"Will some of the fen correspondents of "The Naturalist" kindly furnish 

 a list of the species of trees dug up in the fens of Lincoln, Hants, and 

 Cambridge? — W. Waldo Cooper, West Rasen Rectory, March 6th., 1858. 



fejjatur. 



The undersigned has duplicates of the Eggs of the v ^^io^i^g / Birds, 

 and would be glad to exchange: — Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Garden 

 Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Wood Wren, Willow Wren, 

 Great Titmouse, Long-tailed Titmouse, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 

 Skylark, Wood Lark, Black-headed Bunting, Jackdaw, Sand Martin, Wren, 

 Swallow, Pheasant, Sparrow Hawk, (would like to change for those of the 

 Kestrel,) Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Corn-crake, Water-hen, Partridge, 

 and Peewit. — Frank Nicholson, Bowdon, May 5th., 1858. 



