264 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



houses in the two main streets are evidently of greater 

 antiquity than those erected in the outlying settle- 

 ments. The latter are not large or thick : they are 

 clearly the work of one, or at most two, seasons only ; 

 for it is noticeable that when rooks build at a distance 

 from the centre of population they are some time 

 before they finally decide on a site, abandoning one 

 place after another. But the nests forming the prin- 

 cipal streets are piled up to a considerable height 

 fresh twigs being added every year and are also 

 thick and bulky. The weight of the whole must be a 

 heavy burden to the trees. 



Much skill is shown in the selection of the branches 

 upon which the foundations are laid. In the first place 

 the branch must fork sufficiently to hold the bottom 

 twigs firmly and to give some side-support. Then it 

 must be a branch more or less vertical, or it would 

 swing with the wind too much up and down as well 

 as to and fro. Thirdly, there should be a clear or 

 nearly clear space above the nest to give easy access, 

 and to afford room for it to increase in size annually. 

 For this reason, perhaps, nests are generally placed 

 near the top or outer sides of the tree, where the 

 boughs are smaller, and every upward extension reaches 

 a clearer place. Fourthly, the bough ought not to 

 be too stiff and firm ; it should yield a little, and 

 sway easily, though only in a small degree, to the 

 breeze. If too stiff, in strong gales the nest runs the 

 risk of being blown clean out of the tree. Fifthly, 

 no other branch must rub against the one bearing the 



