ROOK. 97 



usually placed tliickly together in the tops of tall trees, some- 

 times to the number of seven or eight nests on the same 

 tree, and generally selecting such trees as have been planted 

 to form avenues, or otherwise ornamental as timber, and in 

 the vicinity of inhabited mansions, or other buildings. In 

 March, and usually about the second week of that month, 

 the Rooks begin to repair the nests for their use, and some 

 new nests are built by the young birds of the previous year. 

 These are formed of twigs, and lined with grass and fibrous 

 roots. While the nests are in progress, considerable clamour 

 prevails at times among the birds, which appears to arise 

 from attempts made to rob one another of the materials em- 

 ployed in building ; and it is observed that while a nest is 

 in progress, one of the feathered proprietors remains near it 

 to guard it against intruders, and its mate fetches whatever 

 may be next wanting to proceed with ; it has also been re- 

 peatedly noticed, that if a pair of Rooks attempt to build 

 their nest in a tree that was previously unoccupied by a nest, 

 and at a distance from the main body, the other Rooks 

 invariably destroy the nest. The reason for this is not very 

 obvious, unless intended as a punishment to the separatists 

 for their want of sociability. The Rook lays four or five 

 eggs, of a pale greenish ground colour, blotched over with 

 dark greenish brown ; the length one inch eight lines, by one 

 inch tw^o lines in breadth. 



During the period of incubation, the male feeds the female 

 constantly, and occasionally takes her place upon the eggs. 

 Both birds labour incessantly to support their young when 

 hatched, and may be seen, early and late, collecting food for 

 them in the various modes already described, the dilatable skhi 

 under the tongue distended with a conspicuous mass, which is 

 thus softened, and rendered suitable to young and delicate or- 

 gans. The young Rooks are able to fly by the end of May, or 

 the beginning of June, and follow their parents to grass-fields, 



VOL. II. H 



