ROOK. 549 



turbed by an intruder after they had retired to rest, and accord- 

 ingly went this evening, the 14th April, to that at Prestonfield 

 in my neighbourhood. When about four hundred yards from 

 it, I stopped to listen, and was surprised to hear several Rooks 

 uttering a variety of soft clear modulated notes very unlike their 

 usual cry. In the intervals I could distinguish the faint shrill 

 voice of the newly hatched young, which their mothers, I felt 

 persuaded, were fondling and coaxing in this manner. Indeed 

 the sounds were plainly expressive of affection and a desire to 

 please. Presently all became still, and I advanced until I could 

 perceive the male birds perched on the twigs in great numbers. 

 They had no doubt observed me, and a few seemed ready to fly 

 off, but it was not until a loud croak from a distance, several 

 times repeated, gave warning to the whole community, that 

 they did so. As I proceeded, all the males removed, and ulti- 

 mately, I believe, the females also ; but with much less cla- 

 mour than they would have used had it been day, most of them 

 remaining mute, several uttering a kind of low grunt, expressive 

 of dissatisfaction, others a sort of panting noise indicative of 

 fear, and only a few croaking aloud in anger. I believe the 

 whole colony was on wing, and wheeling over the trees, the 

 young remaining perfectly mute. As I moved along, I heard 

 those whose nests were behind settling in succession on the 

 twio^s, and before I had retired to the distance of four hundred 

 yards, they all seemed to have returned. Their flight on this 

 occasion was singularly wavering, undulatory, and undecided, 

 and the strong flappings of their wings were distinctly heard, it 

 being a calm evening. After they had all regained their tran- 

 quillity, a few croaks only being heard now and then, I broke 

 a stick to see what effect the noise might have, when a few 

 that were on some trees nearer than the rookery flew off in 

 silence. A repetition of the noise produced the same effect, 

 but the sound did not disturb the main body. I then clapped 

 my hands, when presently all was mute, and so long as this 

 sound was repeated, no cry was emitted. They seemed to 

 watch in silence my further proceedings ; and, on my ceasing, 

 the rookery resumed its natural state : a young bird now and 

 then uttered its faint crv, on which an old one emitted its cu- 



