CROWS 197 



the toil of the black community begins, and even 

 when night falls, dim shadows may still be seen in 

 the upper gloom, returning from a distance, or 

 moving restlessly about the darkened tree-tops. 



All through the early days of winter the rookery 

 is deserted, the birds amalgamating in vast con- 

 gregations, and finding harbourage in more distant 

 woods, and the tenantless nests are beaten and 

 well-nigh dismantled by the blasts. Week after week 

 goes by, and no single Rook comes even to look at 

 the scene of his former activities. Early in January, 

 however, at about 8 a.m., a small party numbering 

 from ten to twelve, arrive. They remain for a 

 little while perched upon the topmost boughs ; then 

 they depart, and are seen no more for the day. 

 On the following morning they appear at exactly 

 the same time, again silently to survey their 

 deserted homes, and to depart as before. 



So they come and go through the early part of 

 February, their nimibers increasing and the periods 

 of their stay becoming longer. As February merges 

 into March, many remain throughout the whole 

 day. At night, their dark forms can be made out 

 roosting near the nests, and in a little while the 

 whole colony are in possession. 



At day-dawn they are at work, some dropping 

 to the ground to collect fresh sticks, others faring 

 further atield, and industriously, and by repeated 

 effort, biting off the slenderer boughs from the more 

 distant trees, to be carried in ungainly haste to the 

 nesting sites. 



So the work of building and repairing proceeds 

 amidst constant clamour and with many inter- 



