WATCHING ROOKS 267 



more important matters. The flight out from the 

 roosting-trees in the morning, and the flight into 

 them again at night are when it is not the breeding- 

 season the two daily ' events ' of a rook's life. Here, 

 then, are two subjects for special observation. 



" November y>th. At 3 P.M. I take up my position 

 on the edge of a little fir-plantation, a short distance 

 from where I watched yesterday and the last few days. 

 My object is to watch the flights of rooks as they 

 pass, and try to settle if each band has a recognised 

 leader or not. Of course it is obvious that no one 

 bird can lead the various bands, for these come from 

 over a large tract of country, whilst even those that 

 seem most to make one general army, fly, often at 

 considerable intervals of time, and quite out of sight 

 of each other. 



" A good many are already flying in the accustomed 

 direction, but singly, or wide apart. Each bird seems 

 to be entirely independent. 



"The first band now approaches. One rook is 

 much in advance for some distance. He then deviates, 

 and is passed by the greater number of the others, who 

 continue on their way without regard to him. 



" Another great, irregular, straggling body in which 

 I can discern no sign whatever of leadership. Then 

 comes another, more compact. A rook that at first 

 leads by a long interval is passed by first one and 

 then another, so that he becomes one of the general 

 body. 



"A large band, flying very high. Two birds fly 

 nearly parallel, at some distance ahead. 



" Two large bands, also very high. In each, one 

 bird is a good way ahead. The apparent leader of 



