136 HOODED OR ROYSTON CROW. 



abroad in the mornings and evenings in large bodies, 

 but during the middle of the day disperse themselves in 

 quest of food. It is certain that these animals are 

 occasionally injurious to the farmer by devouring his 

 corn ; but it is much to be doubted whether the havoc 

 they commit amongst insects and their grubs is not 

 much more than an equivalent for any injury they may 

 do to the corn. In some of the south-eastern counties 

 of England the farmers consider it worth their while to 

 encourage the breed of Rooks, as the only means of 

 ridding their grounds from the pernicious grub which 

 produces the cockchafer. No birds are more noisy and 

 clamorous than these, especially whilst employed in con- 

 structing their nests ; nor are any more mischievous or 

 thievish with respect to each other. The strong ones 

 almost always plunder those that are weak of the ma- 

 terials which they have collected together, and this causes 

 amongst them frequent quarrelling and battles. It is from 

 this circumstance that their name of Rook, which is a cant 

 word for cheat, has been derived. Their eggs somewhat 

 resemble those of the crow. After the breeding season is 

 over, the Rooks forsake their nest-trees, and for some time 

 roost elsewhere. But they always return in the month of 

 August ; and in October they repair their nests. When 

 these birds are young they are considered, by many per- 

 sons, as good eating, particularly when skinned and made 

 into pies. 



The principal distinction betwixt the Rook and the 

 crow consists in the head ; the nostrils and root of the bill 

 of the former being naked, and of the latter covered with 

 bristly hair. 



Hooded, or Royston Crow. This is a migratory spe- 

 cies, which arrives in the southern parts of England, 



