1 78 The Rook 



Mail}- readers of his life have, doubtless, held similar views willi regard to Jack 

 Sheppard. 



As a matter of fact tliere appears to be no redeeming point in the character 

 of the Hoodie, he is a scourge when wild and when kept as a pet ; not only 

 useless, but dangerous so long as he is alive : when dead, however, Herr Giitke 

 tells us that the Heligolanders esteem him as an article of food. Lord Lilford 

 sa3's that " the habits of the bird are always abominable, and although, from the 

 accident of its not nesting in our county, we are not exposed to the detriment 

 from this thief to which those dwelling on the other side of the Tweed are 

 subject, we have no plea to urge in defence of the Gre}' Crow, and hold him as 

 a sturdy vagrant to be summarily dealt with at all times and in all places. We 

 should be sorry to c\ten)ii}iatc any bird; but this one could be better spared than 

 any other with which we are acquainted." 



Fawilx—COR]'ID.E. 



The Rook. 



Corviis /nigi/i(;i(s, Linn. 



IN Western Europe the Rook breeds as far to the north as the Arctic circle, 

 but not so far in the East. It is also found in the summer throughout 

 Central and Southern Europe, being resident in the more southern portion 

 of its range, but migratory in the more northern countries, whence at the approach 

 of winter it retires to Southern Europe, North-east Africa, the Mediterranean 

 islands, and Asia Minor. Eastwards it breeds in Western Siberia and Turkestan, 

 wintering in North Persia, Afghanistan, Cashmere, and N. W. India. 



In England, Wales, and Ireland the Rook is prett}^ generally distributed in 

 all suitable localities ; in Scotland though rarer and more local, it is rapidly 



