Traditions and Ancient History. 255 



frequent ; for I have seen many cases in which all of 

 these were evidently quite put on one side. Birds 

 to ordinary observation seem so unfettered, to live 

 so entirely without rhyme or reason, that it is diffi- 

 cult to convey the idea that the precise contrary is 

 really the case. 



Returning to these two great streams of rooks, 

 which pour every evening in converging currents 

 from the north and east upon the wood ; why do 

 they do this ? Why not go forth to the west, or to 

 the south, where there are hills and meadows and 

 streams in equal number? Why not scatter abroad, 

 and return according to individual caprice ? Why, to 

 go still further, do rooks manoeuvre in such immense 

 numbers, and crows fly only in pairs? The simple 

 truth is that birds, like men, have a history. They 

 are unconscious of it, but its accomplished facts affect 

 them still and shape the course of their existence. 

 Without doubt, if we could trace that history back 

 there are good and sufficient reasons why rooks 

 prefer to fly in this particular locality, to the east 

 .and to the north. Something may perhaps be learnt 

 by examining the routes along which they fly. 



The second division that which goes northwards, 

 after flying little more than a mile in a straight line 

 passes over Wick Farm, and dispers s gradually 

 in the meadows surrounding and extending far below 

 it. The rooks whose nests are placed in the elms of 

 the Warren belong to this division, and, as their 

 trees are the nearest to the great central roosting- 

 place, they are the first to quit the line of march in 

 the morning, descending to feed in the fields around 

 their property. On the other hand, in the evening, 



