50 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



it is gradually extending its range, even in the British 

 Islands, as tree-planting increases. This fact is very 

 marked in some parts of the Highlands. In Skye, for 

 instance, the Rook is gradually spreading over the island, 

 and attempts to found its colonies in all the new 

 plantations as soon as the trees are sufficiently grown to 

 hold its bulky nest. The farmers and landowners view 

 with dismay this gradual invasion of the Rook, and seek 

 to destroy or drive the poor bird away at every oppor- 

 tunity. They accuse him of every depredation committed 

 by the Hooded and Carrion Crows strangling young 

 game and poultry, plundering nests, destroying root and 

 grain crops, and pilfering anything and everything 

 within his reach. To a certain extent this may be true. 

 The Rook must live ; and it is difficult to see how he can 

 obtain his usual fare when he penetrates into districts 

 where arable land is scarce, and the food which he is 

 accustomed to seek in more highly cultivated places is 

 wanting. The Rook multiplies apace ; the surplus 

 population are compelled to wander in quest of new 

 haunts, and of necessity their habits have to be modified 

 in many ways. Viewed in this light, the rapid increase of 

 the Rook, and its tendency to spread into little-cultivated 

 districts, is attended with no small amount of danger to 

 the game-preserver and the agriculturist. Yet in the well- 

 farmed portions of the country this bird is an absolute 

 blessing to the husbandman, and should be preserved 



