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236 THE PROCESSION OF SPRING 



increasing in numbers, and northwards farmers have 

 combined for their destruction. Well, a return to the 

 rook rifle would soon thin their numbers to a sufficient 

 extent. Let us have no murderous strychnine sown 

 about the land. If rookeries must be destroyed 

 wholesale, let it at least be those that are removed 

 from dwellings, to save that stain on hospitality, the 

 charge of confidence misplaced. For I have even 

 known those that have ruthlessly destroyed this the 

 chief ornament — a heronry excepted — of an ancient 

 home. 



But this is uncomfortable ground. It is pleasanter 

 to think of those who would pour libations to the 

 shade of Virgil if only rooks would come to their tall 

 elms. 



And if conditions are suitable they may be induced, 

 by the following means, to come. Fasten up in the 

 destined trees some half-score of imitation nests. To 

 these bring nestlings from the nearest rookery. The 

 old birds will find them out, feed them, rear them; 

 and quite probably the next spring will see a rookery 

 begun. 



There are two plants of very different species which 

 thrive exceedingly well under a rookery, and both are 

 among the earliest flowers of spring. The first — dog- 



