120 WOODLAND, MOOR, AND STREAM 



little known or understood by a great many of the 

 people who see him fly overhead or walk behind the 

 plough. For twelve years I have lived close to a large 

 rookery, and have had the birds about, within a few 

 yards of my house door, at all seasons. In the spring 

 his plumage glistens in the sunlight as he walks about. 

 Any one seeing him bow to the object of his affections, 

 puffing out his feathers and making a fan of his tail, 

 would call him a handsome fellow. He is a most 

 intelligent bird, devoted to his wife and family, and 

 has an excellent character for early rising. There 

 are differences of opinion as to his qualities among 

 agriculturists ; but I should say the verdict must be 

 in his favour, for among twenty sorts of birds shot you 

 will not find one rook, and he is a difficult bird to get 

 if you want one as a specimen. 



About the middle of February they are busy 

 inspecting their nests of the previous season. Long 

 and loud are the discussions as to the amount of repairs 

 needed for their airy cradles. These continue for 

 some days, the birds going back, as evening draws 

 near, to the roosting-places where they have slept all 

 through the winter months. One such place, heavily 

 timbered, and well sheltered, and having a southern 

 aspect, is near my house. It holds them in vast 

 numbers, and thence the congregated rookeries spread 



