Vol. XXVIII1 r> . 1 ; , Q7Q 



1911 Recent Literature. O/y 



The first three headings cover a discussion of articles on Rooks by 

 Gilmour, Rorig, Schleh, and Hollrung, in which the results of stomach 

 examinations are set forth and commented upon. The distribution of 

 Rooks in Denmark is considered in detail and is illustrated by a map 

 which shows the location of breeding colonies, and also localities where 

 Rooks are definitely reported not to breed. It appears that Rooks are 

 confined to the eastern part of the kingdom. 



Seven pages are taken up with the reproduction of letters giving experi- 

 ence with injuries by the Rooks. This testimony is then summarized. 

 The principal damage seems to be to seed grain, potatoes, and turnips. 

 Grain is pilfered from shocks as well as from newly planted fields, and both 

 seed potatoes and the young tubers are dug out and devoured. Although 

 Rooks visit patches of young turnip plants in search of insect larvae they 

 do more harm than good by trampling down and killing the tender seed- 

 lings. The birds do minor damage by scratching manure away from plants, 

 by general depredations in out-lying gardens, by stealing cherries, robbing 

 partridge nests, and digging up seeds in forest nurseries. 



The author's conclusion is that the Rook is an important injurious 

 species, responsible for an annual loss to the agriculturists of Denmark, 

 which must be reckoned in hundreds of thousands of crowns (crown = 

 26.8 cents). Some individuals lose thousands of crowns but the loss falls 

 mainly upon the small holders. It is evident, he says, that the Rook is a 

 bird which we must combat. 



Among methods of fighting Rooks those recommended as most effective 

 are taking the eggs and young from the nests, and felling trees containing 

 nesting colonies. Shooting through the nests in the evening after the 

 birds have gone to roost also is advised, and the author naively remarks 

 that this is particularly disagreeable to the Rooks. The adults leave and 

 the young die. 



The article closes with a section on legislation against Rooks and a bibli- 

 ography of 17 titles. — W. L. M. 



Huntington's 'Our Wild Fowl and Waders.' ' — It is apparent to all 

 who have given much thought to the matter, that there can be but one 

 ultimate result of the time-worn American system of protecting game only 

 by restrictive legislation, and that result is extermination of the game. 

 Of what avail is it to shorten the season or to reduce the bag limit, when 

 the number of hunters greatly increases every year? Manufacturers of 

 guns and ammunitions expend fortunes in extending their business, but 

 they as well as the gunners themselves must be made to realize that there 

 is a limit to the increase of hunting. If they push blindly forward to that 

 limit, both business and sport, insofar as they depend on the existence 

 of game birds, will vanish. 



1 Huntington, D. W. Our "Wild Fowl and Waders. Amateur Sportsman Co. 

 New York. Dec, 1910. 207 pp. 



