BIRDS IN THE CALENDAR 
in an increasingly practical age, which may 
at any moment put sentiment on one side 
and decree for it the fate that is already over- 
taking its big cousin the raven. Scotch 
farmers have long turned their thumbs down 
and regarded rooks as food for the gun, but 
hi South Britain the bird's apologists have 
hitherto been able to hold their own and avert 
catastrophe from their favourite. The evidence 
is conflicting. On the one hand, it seems un- 
deniable that the rook eats grain and potato 
shoots. It also snaps young twigs off the trees 
and may, like the jay and magpie, destroy the 
eggs of game-birds. On the other hand, parti- 
cularly during the weeks when it is feeding its 
nestlings, it admittedly devours quantities of 
wireworms, leathergrubs, and weevils, as well 
as of couch grass and other noxious weeds, 
while some of its favourite dainties, such as 
thistles, walnuts, and acorns, will hardly be 
grudged at any time. It is not an easy matter 
to decide ; and, if the rook is to be spared, 
economy must be tempered with sentiment, hi 
which case the evidence will perhaps be found 
to justify a verdict of guilty, with a strong 
recommendation to mercy. 
52 
