ROOK. ; 553 
roots, moss and dry leaves, straws, and a few feathers. It is somewhat 
flat in shape outside ; but inside the hollow is rather deep. Although 
in rare instances nests of the Rook may be seen loosely made, the 
majority are singularly strong and compact. Numbers of nests are built 
near together, in many cases touching one another, the largest and most 
bulky ones being those which have withstood the storms of many winters 
and have been added to and strengthened yearly. 
The eggs of the Rook are from three to five in number, and differ con- 
siderably in size, form, and markings. Some specimens are oval; others 
are rounder, whilst many are considerably elongated. Many have the 
ground-colour green of various shades; whilst in some it is very light 
blue, almost white. The markings are greenish brown of different degrees 
of intensity, sometimes interspersed with spots of deep blackish brown. 
The markings are often so thickly distributed as to hide the ground- 
colour. They measure from 1°8 to 1°55 inch in length, and from 1:25 to 
1:05 inch in breadth. Should the first clutch of eggs be removed, others 
will be laid, but in smaller numbers. 
During the second week of April the feeble notes of the young Rooks, 
swayed to and fro in their elevated cradles, may be heard; and then the 
old birds are taxed to the utmost to furnish them with food. From early 
morning until the dusk of evening the old birds may be seen passing 
in almost noiseless flight to and from the fields with food for their 
young. For weeks this goes on, until, in the most forward nests, we see 
the young birds sitting outside on the branches. The leaves are then 
rapidly expanding, and partly hide the young from view, who try their 
wings with little flights from tree to tree and eventually follow their 
parents to the pastures, and are there fed and tended, returning at» 
nightfall to the nesting-trees. 
It is an interesting sight to watch their evening movements. ‘The 
babel of sounds is deafening as they wheel round and round previous to 
alighting. One by one, or in little parties, they perch on the topmost 
branches, now struggling for a post of vantage or taking short flights, 
uttering their hoarse caws. In the distance, parties of three or four are 
winging their way to join the throng. ‘The noise becomes louder, the 
somewhat shrill cry of the Jackdaw sometimes mingling with the homely 
caw of the Rook. At last a lull occurs, as the Rooks, perched on every 
available bough, turn their heads from side to side or preen their glossy 
plumage. But it is not to last, even though the sun has sunk below the 
horizon and night is at hand. One of the birds, perched on a dead limb, 
utters a hoarse caw; another and another answer; now two or three 
together; and speedily the din is loud, nay, louder than before. Many 
change their places, their dark forms showing out against the clear western 
sky. Others hop about the boughs, to be pushed off by their companions 
