THE ROOK. 251 



then visit a large number of rookeries in all parts of the 

 kingdom, collecting and sifting evidence, making a series 

 of personal observations, and spreading his researches over 

 all seasons of the year. Such an inquiry, trivial though it 

 may seem, would not be without utility, for the Book, 

 though it has many friends, has also many enemies, and, 

 being everywhere abundant, its agency for good or evil 

 must have serious results. The following account being 

 imperfect from want of space, the reader who wishes to 

 know more about this interesting bird, must refer to our 

 standard works on Ornithology, and, above all, record and 

 compare his own personal observations. 



In the early spring months Eooks subsist principally on 

 the larvae and worms turned up by the plough, and with- 

 out gainsay they are then exceedingly serviceable to the 

 agriculturist, by destroying a vast quantity of noxious 

 insects which, at this period of their growth, feed on the 

 leaves or roots of cultivated vegetables. Experience has 

 taught them that the ploughman either has not the power 

 or the desire to molest them ; they therefore approach the 

 plough with perfect fearlessness, and show much rivalry 

 in their efforts to be first to secure the treasures just turned 

 up. During the various processes to which the ground is 

 subjected in preparation for the crop, they repeat their 

 visits, spreading more widely over the field, and not only 

 pick up the grubs which lie on the surface, but bore for 

 such as, by certain signs best known to themselves, lie 

 concealed. I need not say that in all these stages the 

 wisdom of the farmer is to offer them every inducement to 

 remain; all that they ask is to be let alone. Not so, 

 however, when the seed-crop is sown. Grain, pulse, and 

 potatoes are favourite articles of diet with them, and they 

 will not fail to attack these as vigorously as they did the 

 grubs a few days before. They are therefore undeniably 

 destructive at this season, and all available means should 

 be adopted to deter them from alighting on cultivated 



