BOOKS AND SUNDAY 63 



October 15, 1882. 



The next Sunday that is, and the rooks came 

 again ! Of course they found no walnuts, but one 

 very old-looking rook (all rooks look old) would 

 not believe its eyes, but perched upon a branch 

 opposite to the one that had borne most nuts, and 

 began bowing to it plunging its head forward, 

 and at the same time opening his beak as if 

 he expected a nut to fly into it. After a time the 

 beak, since it took in nothing, gave out each time 

 a sharp, harsh cry. Its gestures were so absurd 

 that I laughed aloud. The rook looked round, 

 but as the window was shut I think it did not see 

 me. It certainly had a good memory, for it 

 knew exactly where the largest group of walnuts 

 had been. Why then could it not remember that 

 they had been taken '? 



October 22, 1882. 



No rooks came to-day, but they have been 

 floating about overhead, evidently speculating on 

 the subject of walnuts. 



On the other hand there has been added to 

 the showers of hail and rain and golden leaves 

 quite a shower, as one may say, of tits at the 

 window. They are coming back, I suppose, from 

 their country quarters. One called my attention 

 to the fact, a few days ago, by flying twice against 

 the window, striking it with wings and beak. I 



