176 BRITISH BIRDS 



THE ROCK PIGEON. See under Doves. 



THE ROCK PIPIT. See under Pipits. 



THE ROLLER. See u?tder Hoopoe. 



THE ROOK. 



This bird is rather smaller than the Carrion Crow, and 

 may be readily distinguished from it by the fact of the 

 skin at the base of the bill being denuded of feathers, which 

 was long supposed to be the result of the bird's digging 

 propensities ; but as young Rooks, reared from the nest, 

 that have never been obliged to "work for a living," 

 also develop the same peculiarity when about two years 

 old, the idea would appear to be untenable. The Rook 

 is a gregarious bird, and builds in companies, as every- 

 body knows. The young number from two to four to the 

 nest, of which there are often two but sometimes only 

 one in the season. Young Rooks can be reared as easily 

 as the rest of their tribe, and, according to a correspondent 

 of The Bazaar, ''can get through more mischief in a 

 given time than any other bird." 



THE RUDDY SHELDRAKE. See Sheldrakes {wider 

 Ducks). 



