BIRDS FOR LONDON 305 



Most persons would probably agree that of 

 all the large birds that were once common in 

 London, the rook would be most welcome. In 

 the chapter on this bird I said that irretrievable 

 disaster had overtaken the London rookeries, 

 that the birds had gone, or were going, never to 

 return ; nevertheless, I believe that it would be 

 possible, although certainly not easy, to reintro- 

 duce them. We have not wholly lost the rook 

 yet ; he is to be found in many places on our 

 borders ; and the continued existence of the 

 ancient colony at Gray's Inn is a proof that rooks 

 can live in London, and would doubtless be able to 

 thrive in some of the parks where there are large 

 trees, and from which the birds would not have 

 to travel so far in search of food for their young. 

 With regard to the Gray's Inn rooks, which 

 are greatly valued by the Benchers and by 

 very many others, I will venture to make 

 a suggestion or two, which, if acted on, may 

 produce good results. Probably no bird from 

 outside is ever attracted to this colony, 

 confined to so small an open space in the 

 very heart of London, and it is possible that 

 through too much in-and-in breeding for many 

 generations, the birds have suffered a consider- 



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