YOUNG ROOKS . 131 



see this feeding of " my lady." It is then that her 

 attendant comes home more heavily laden, and after 

 disposing of this welcome aliment, he will hold a 

 loud and long conversation with neighbour Rooks, 

 which in turn greet with harsh cries those that are 

 extra late in coming home. 



When the young Rooks appear there are great 

 rejoicings in the black colony ; long and discor- 

 dant are their cries or congratulations when Rooks 

 return to their partners with food. Then in due 

 time, when the young ones have grown apace, they 

 will sit on the edge of their nest to greet their 

 admiring parents with subdued caws. But after 

 taking note of this happy though noisy scene, 

 look upon another. 



It is the same old rookery, and the same inhabi- 

 tants, but under what different circumstances! 

 Standing under the trees are several sportsmen 

 dealing out death to the poor helpless young 

 birds, of whom some fall back wounded into the 

 nests that have been their happy homes ; others, 

 while their life is ebbing, cling to a branch, but at 

 last fall back, and as their hold loosens they drop 

 to the ground with loud thuds. The distracted 

 parent Rooks, flying above out of gunshot, are 

 entreating their young to leave the nests, and 

 some will attempt to do this ; but after flapping a 



