198 ENGLISH BIRD LIFE 



hides of grotesque courtship. In the small groups 

 which dot the green of the meadow, the suitors 

 appear, expanding their tails fan-wise, and with 

 contorted forms and reiterated caws, seeking the 

 attention of the hens, w^hich, meanwhile, move 

 quietly in the grass apparently obliyious of their 

 presence. Sometimes the cock will ascend to 

 some lofty bough and suddenly distend his tail- 

 feathers with a rattling sound, endeayouring at the 

 same time to modulate his hoarse yoice after the 

 manner of a singing bird. But soon the realities 

 of domesticity work their sobering effect, the 

 clamour dies down, and amidst the still leafless 

 limbs the dark tails of the hens can be seen pro- 

 jecting beyond the nest-sides, as they settle them- 

 selyes to the patient business of incubation. 



The gregarious habits of Rooks and their man- 

 ner of forming easily observed colonies when nest- 

 ing, have given rise to manifold writings, and to 

 the expression of varied opinions. It has been 

 stated that a distinct system of government, on very 

 human lines, may be traced in these communities; 

 that matters affecting the commonwealth are dis- 

 cussed in solemn conclave; that thieves are evicted, 

 and that other malefactors are duly tried by tree-top 

 courts-martial, and, if need be, promptly executed, 

 the terms rook-parliament, rook-tribunal being 

 freely used. That Rooks, as though moved by a 

 common impulse, sometimes destroy the nests of 

 their fellows and make fierce onslaughts upon the 

 owners, is recorded by many observers. Mr. Tick- 

 ner Edwardes in Ways of Nature, for example, 

 writes: "Just as there is always a black sheep in 



