

ROOK 181 



the time of hatching out and consequent readiness for 

 gun or rifle of the young birds is subject to considerable 

 variation. Late wintry or early spring-like weather 

 retards or advances their approach to fitness. Climatic 

 conditions, of course, are largely responsible for the period 

 at which eggs are laid, as also for the rate of growth of 

 the newly-hatched birds, the abundance or scarcity of 

 insect or other soft food regulating in some degree the 

 length of time they take to mature. Therefore it will be 

 seen that rook-shooting fixtures should not, as some 

 suppose, be fixed by calendar, but only after due and 

 careful observation of the process of nesting and of the 

 progress made by the young birds. 



With regard to the second reason that has been as- 

 signed as the cause of some highly unsatisfactory results 

 obtained in the shooting out of certain rookeries, it may 

 be remarked that an opinion far too generally held is 

 that any one can hit a rook. Acting on this assumption, 

 Tom, Dick, and Harry are often admitted to rook- 

 shootings, to the entire upsetting of order and of the 

 ultimate success of the proceedings. On these occasions 

 one frequently sees men and without wishing to be un- 

 gallant too often the fairer sex, permitted to handle 

 weapons with whose uses and properties they are more 

 or less totally unfamiliar. Rook-shootings very frequently 

 are family gatherings, and wherever this is the case it is 

 incumbent on paterfamilias to see to it that a fair pro- 

 portion of good shots and steady sportsmen are invited 

 to leaven the proceedings. Other objectionable features 

 present at some rook-shootings might be mentioned, but 

 perhaps it will suffice to enumerate the following : (a) 

 Too much of the rollicking element ; () too much noise 

 and rushing about from place to place ; (c) too much of 



