Rooks are continually fighting, and pulling each 

 other's nests to pieces : these proceedings are incon- 

 sistent with living in such close community. And yet, if a pah- 

 offer to build in a single tree, the nest is plundered and demolished 

 at once. 



Some rooks roost on their nest-trees. 



The twigs which the rooks drop in building, supply the poor with 

 brushwood to light their fires. 



Some unhappy pairs 'are not permitted to finish any nest till the 

 rest have completed their building. As soon as they get a few 

 sticks together, a party comes and demolishes the whole. 



As soon as rooks have finished their nests, and before they lay, 

 the cocks begin to feed the hens, who receive their bounty with a 

 fondling, tremulous voice, and fluttering wings, and all the little 

 blandishments that are expressed by the young, while in a helpless 

 state. This gallant deportment of the male is continued through 

 the whole season of incubation. G. W. 



18 



