ON THE HABITS OF THE ROOK. 61 



and we have done. Although most abundant on Arthur's Scat, so that it 

 was long imagined to be peculiar to that hill, it has occurred in numerous 

 othci- localities throughout the lowlands of Scotland. On the neighbouring 

 range of the Pentland hills; at Flisk, in Fifeshire; and along the shores of 

 the Frith of Forth; in Berwickshire and Dumfriesshire; on the Ochills, in 

 Stirlingshire; and among the Lammermuirs, in p]ast Lothian; so that it seems 

 very generally distributed around its centre at Arthur's Seat. 



Duddingstone, tiear Edinburgh, March Idth., 1851. 



ON THE HABITS OF THE ROOK, (GORVUS FRUGILEGUS.) 



BY THE RKV, W. WALDO COOPER. 



Few observations have been more frequently, or more justly, made, than 

 that we have but little certain information of the habits of many of our 

 most common birds. To others, I leave it to write upon the causes of this 

 seeming anomaly. I will endeavour to rectify that careless mode of summarily 

 disposing of a bird with such observations as 'it is only a sparrow,' or 'only 

 a rook.' That this fault is less prevalent than it was, I observe with pleasure; 

 but still the fashion, or perhaps rather a false ambition, leads naturalists to 

 prefer looking for scarce birds, and new species, to studying the habits of the 

 settled and numerous inhabitants of the country. The greater the means 

 of observation afforded us, the greater ought to be our knowledge; and I am 

 induced to offer these remarks by the hope of drawing forth the experience 

 of others; for, though I cannot flatter myself that I shall add anything to 

 what is already known of the habits of the Rook, yet, I trust I may succeed 

 in directing attention to some points, which require further observation and 

 study. Before, however, commencing my remarks, I must acknowledge my 

 obligation to my uncle, the Rev. R. P. Alington, of the Rectory, Swinhope, 

 who has kindly furnished me with many interesting particulars of the Rook, 

 several of which I have made use of in the following observations. 



I will take, as a starting point, the time immediately before the Rook begins 

 his nest; and then the first question that arises relates to his cotoHsMj) and 

 mairiage. This point, as far as I know, has been but little treated of; 

 probably from the difficulty in making observations. The only circumstance, of 

 which I am aware, that could be supposed to have reference to their pairing, 

 is, that in the early part of the building season, several parties, each always 

 consisting of three, may be seen flying round the trees in the Rookeries, tico 

 alioags pursuing one: the pairing must, however, have taken place long before, 

 for the nests are already commenced. What are they then doing? My complete 

 ignorance of the 6xact time and mode of pairing, I am compelled to admit; 

 I believe, however, that the main difficulty in observing this interesting 

 ceremony, arises, in a great measure, from Rooks pairing /or life. When I 

 come to the question, what becomes of the young Rooks, this difficulty will 

 be scon to be very great. 



