90 FRESH WOODS. 



you cannot get your hand round to the 

 opening it is better to give it up ; for what 

 with the swaying of the small branches to 

 which you are clinging and their tendency to 

 snap, especially if they happen to be ash or 

 pine, or even elm, there is a chance, if you 

 attempt to twist yourself round to the open- 

 ing, of your coming to the ground with more 

 speed than you ascended, in which case your 

 climbing in this world will be finished. 



Rooks are very good builders, that is, they 

 build good comfortable nests, strongly made 

 and well lined with wool, but none of that 

 diabolical cunning is exhibited about the 

 rook's nest which you find in a magpie's. 

 They are quite open to the sky above, and 

 are rounder and more compact at the base, 

 besides not being defended by prickly thorns, 

 and although built on the tops of tall trees, 

 they are far more accessible than the nest of 

 the magpie. 



I remember reading an amusing little 

 article in the " St. James's Gazette," some 

 months ago, on the subject of rooks building 

 their nests, which reminded me of my boyish 

 days, and the large rookery on the old farm. 

 Many a time of an evening have I watched 

 them coming home from all quarters, and 

 hovering over the trees in such numbers that 



