THE QUERIST. 147 



together in perfect harmony, their movements were strikingly peculiar to 

 each. The Jackdaws, indifferent to feeding, were strutting about, and 

 appeared to feel gratified with being in the society of their more dignified 

 companions; the Starlings were restless, and continually starting off in flocks. 



Whilst the proceedings of the Eooks seemed to be regulated with order 

 and system, their cawings were significant of a good understanding, and the 

 musical tones mentioned by the Editor of "The Naturalist," no one could 

 fail to distinguish. 



The Rooks are now busily employed in repairing their old and building 

 new nests; and having a great disposition to rob each other of materials 

 for the purpose, rather than fetch them from a distance, fierce disputes 

 arise, hence the harsh angry sounds and jarring notes, so different from the 

 mellow tones of the same birds in September and October. Who can be 

 so indifferent to the pleasures attending the study of Natural History, as 

 to pass a Rookery at this busy season, without pausing to watch the exciting 

 scene going on, and observing with interest the indefatigable industry and 

 perseverance of these useful birds. They appear to go off in detachments 

 for the purpose of feeding, as few are now to be seen at one time in the 

 fields: the meadows where cattle are pasturing seem to be the most frequented. 

 The droppings of the cattle, which would otherwise remain undisturbed, 

 generating larvae and insects destructive to vegetation, are all turned over, 

 and every thing injurious extracted; all other manures deposited on the 

 ground undergo the same scrutiny. While thus employed they are remark- 

 ably silent; perhaps their powers for cawing have been somewhat over-exerted 

 in their building disputes, and are now reserved, to be used with greater 

 effect upon returning to the works. It is evident no time is lost in feeding, 

 when moving from one spot to another. They fly as near as possible to the 

 ground, for better discovering what might be below the herbage, and their 

 keen sight enables them to detect grubs, etc., even if buried in the ground. 

 As already observed, no cawings are heard, they are pursuing one object 

 and need no converse; they will speedily return to the Rookery, and take 

 the places of another detachment, who, in their turn, will fly off to the 

 fields in search of nutriment. 



There are numerous Rookeries in this neighbourhood, one of which appears 

 to me to possess some distinguishing features, inasmuch as the Rooks do 

 not gather in one, or a few large congregations, as I have observed to be 

 their habits at other Rookeries, but in this instance divide into smaller 

 colonies, and build upon the numerous lofty trees in various parts of the 

 domain. This assemblage of Rookeries in view of the mansion has a pleasing 

 effect, particularly when seen from the upper windows, which, aided by the 

 elevated situation of the house, affords excellent opportunity for examining 

 the nests of the birds, and observing their movements; an advantage the 



