212 RIVERSIDE LETTERS xxvn 



rooks had been given up for several years. 

 Next, that the great flood last year, and the 

 severity and frequency of the gales of wind 

 in the springs of recent years, had alarmed 

 the rooks as to the safety of the trees, which 

 are very near the edge of the river ; and a 

 third reason was, that possibly it was owing 

 to the fact of several pairs of brown owls 

 having taken up their abode in the trees close 

 to the rookery. As to these owls, I believe 

 that they came across the river to build in 

 my neighbour's garden in the spring of last 

 year, frightened out of their usual nesting 

 places in some elms by the hammering and 

 noise of the preparations for the Agricultural 

 Show, just as were the wood- pigeons men- 

 tioned in a former letter. 



I can hardly suppose, however, that the 

 rooks would have cared a bit for the owls, 

 though possibly they may have objected to 

 having their night's rest disturbed by their 

 hooting. 



I see " our " kingfisher now frequently. 



