116 NOTES ON THE KOOK. 



stem, like the frond of a fern, large handsome leaves standing erect in two 

 rows on the upper part, and the numerous pretty though small flowers, white 

 tipped with green, drooping in the opposite direction. There cannot be a 

 greater contrast than in the two plants we have just found, the stiflPness of 

 the former and the elegant curve of the latter ^vill equally attract the notice 

 of the botanist. Convallaria midtiflora belongs to the Liliacece family, many 

 genera of which we ai-e well acquainted with, as showy plants in our gardens; 

 some are used medicinally, as the squill, the aloe, and several others; whilst 

 the onion, shallot, and garlic are used as articles of food. 



But I must desist, for the scramble on the sloping ground has been fiitiguing, 

 and we are loaded with flowery treasures; we leave abundance however to 

 call us back for another search next month, if my present companions are 

 sufficiently interested in this excursion to follow me in a June ramble to 

 the South Downs. 



Beacons/ield, March 19th., 1852. 



NOTES ON THE ROOK, {CORVUS FRUGILEGUS) 



BY J. MC'INTOSH, KSQ. 



( Contirmed from page 93.^ 



In a foi'mer communication we have therein pleaded the cause of these 

 innocent birds, whose sociability excites our admiration, and whose interesting 

 gambols enliven our country mansions and villages; we Avill now turn our 

 attention to their nidification and their manners. It is well known that the 

 Rook has a peculiar attachment to the lofty monarchs of the forest, imme- 

 diately adjoining the mansions of the opulent, as if they looked up to the 

 noble owners for that protection which they so richly merit at their hands. 

 I^hey rarely build in single trees, and never in large and solitary woods, 

 preferring to such places the busy haunts of their enemy; here they build, 

 and rear their young with the greatest confidence, as may be seen in some 

 of the frequented parts of London and Edinburgh. Their affection towards 

 their nursery, or as we call it, the rookery, is remarkable, frequently visiting 

 the same from the place of their summer labours. As soon as churlish winter 

 has left us, they commence the necessary repairs of their former habitation. 

 We are perfectly satisfied in our own minds, from attentive observation, that 

 the pairing of these birds takes place only once in their lives, that is, should 

 no accident, but natural death, befall either. They live on as man and wife, 

 year after year rearing their young and repairing their nests, some of which, 

 from the yearly accumulation of twigs and moss, we have seen of a very 

 considerable size, which the happy pair commenced immediately after their 

 honeymoon, and year by year added to its bulk. This affair being settled 

 all is harmony and good feeling in their community, their whole attention 

 is now in laying, hatching, and rearing their tender young, vvhercin they 



