42 COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



buff and specks of blackish-brown. The red does not 

 appear on the breast until about the end of August, 

 so that the beginner in the study of birds is likely to be 

 puzzled during some weeks in the summer by the appear- 

 ance of this obvious Robin in all respects excepting 

 colour. However, the carriage and trustful familiarity of 

 the Robin are so well known, that the speckled thrush-' 

 like appearance of the young bird will not long deceive 

 anyone, once the difference in the immature plumage is 

 known. 



Note. The song of the Robin is to my mind one of 

 the most beautiful of all bird songs, though maybe it 

 has rather a melancholy strain in it. There is also a 

 sharp call-note, and a note like the winding of a watch. 



Distinguishing Feature. The cheery confiding Robin 

 must be familiar to every one, if only from a Christmas 

 card ! The young bird wears a spotted plumage for 

 the first few months, donning his red waistcoat gradually 

 about August. 



Nest. Various places, hedgebanks, oid kettles, &c. 



Eggs. White, clouded and speckled with orange-red. 



Haunts. Everywhere, especially neighbourhood of 

 dwellings. 



ROOK. (R. Crows.) 



Size. Taken as standard. Length 17 inches. 



Colour: Glossy black. 



Note. The ' caw ' of the Rook is one of the most 

 familiar sounds of the countryside. 



Distinguishing Feature. The Rook is usually seen 

 about the fields in flocks. The adult Rook has a space 

 surrounding the bill which is bare of feathers ; this, 

 together with the fact that the Carrion Crow is usually 

 seen alone or with a mate only, serves to distinguish the 

 two birds. 



Nest. Rooks are truly gregarious birds, breeding as 

 they feed, in company. The nests, made of sticks lined 

 with grass, &c., are usually placed in fairly tall trees, 

 several nests being in one tree. Rookeries, as breeding- 

 colonies of Rooks are called, are often in a clump of 

 trees in a park, or avenue leading up to some country 

 mansion. 



Eggs. Greenish-white, with spots and blotches of 

 grreenish-brown. 



Haunts. Fields. 



