THE ROOK. 



This weil-knowTi species of crow contents itself with 

 feeding on the insect tribe, particularly the caterpillars 

 of the cockchafer. It sometimes takes, however, the 

 corn of the husbandman. At all seasons it is grega- 

 rious, resorting every spring to the same trees to breed, 

 when the nests may be observed on the upper branches 

 crowded one over another, ^^llen the young have 

 taken wing, they all forsake their nest-trees, resorting 

 to them again in October to roost ; but at the approach 

 of winter, they generally choose more sheltered places 

 at night, in some neighbouring wood, to which they fly 

 off together. 



These birds are by no means deficient in sagacity ; 

 and hence it has been said : — 



" Their dangers well the warj' plunderers know, 

 And place a watch on some conspicuous bough." 



Nor are they indifferent to the signal he gives: as 

 soon as they hear it they take flight, and always in 



