1902 Notes. 73 



A New Britisli Botanical Magazine. 



The first number of the New Phytologist has appeared (January 23), 

 under the editorship of Mr. A. G. Tansley, M.A., F.Iy.S., of University 

 College, London. The preliminary circular announcing this venture did 

 not whoU}- con\'ince us of its desirability, and the first number leaves us 

 in the same state of hesitation, 



ZOOLOGY. 



Rooks. 



It is generally asserted by farmers that Rooks are increasing year b)' 

 year in this country. I should like to get the opinion of some of your 

 correspondents in various districts on this subject. 



My own experience in this neighbourhood is that they are increasing. 

 I have rather an unique experience in this place. The same year, in fact 

 the same month, in which I was appointed to this parish about twenty 

 pairs of Rooks came to the foot of my lawn, and established the nucleus 

 of a perfectly new rookery (there never was one here before) by building 

 as many nests and rearing their young. I took special care that they 

 should not be disturbed. It is now sixteen years ago, and every year 

 since the number of nests has increased. There were about 200 last year. 

 I have a sort of family affection for them because they came here with 

 me ; they do us no harm, and they are most confiding in the breeding 

 season. I can see very plainly through a telescope their nest-building 

 and other operations, which are most interesting. 



Since the formation of this rookery another curious innovation has 

 been developing itself. Each year, as winter is drawing near, thousands 

 and thousands of other Rooks and Jackdaws — probably Scandinavian 

 birds — assemble here in the evening, coming in from all directions in 

 small detachments ; and as dusk begins to fall, having rested and talked 

 on the trees in and around the lawn, they retire across the river and 

 sleep in a wood in the Duke of Manchester's demense. 



Yet another new development in the Crow family here. For the last 

 five or six years Starlings come here — without exaggeration in millions 

 — in the late evening, and absolutely cover the trees, bending down their 

 branches with their weight. Sometimes they alight on the lawn, making 

 it appear in the distance as if it were top-dressed with dark manure. 



There they chatter and talk, and as the spring approaches sing. Then 

 all of a sudden they rise, making a noise like distant thunder. They, 

 too, fly across into the Duke's demense ; but before alighting on the 

 trees in which they sleep they perform the most wonderful evolutions, 

 wheeling in detachments hither and thither like a vast army of infantry 

 at drill, and appearing against the fading light of the western sky like 

 dark clouds, so great are their numbers. 



I fancy there are not quite so many this year as formerly. As spring 

 approaches both Rooks and Starlings gradually divide, and finally dis- 

 appear, leaving only the few native Rooks to re-build their nests and 

 look after their families. 



Wii,i.iAM M'Endoo. 



T^nderagee. 



