136 IN BIRD- LAND 



the food was dropped, and then enjoyed in peace a 

 quiet and well-earned repast. 



When watching a flock of Rooks it is always 

 interesting to notice their different notes and cries. 

 There seems almost as much variety in their 

 language as it would be possible to find among 

 birds ; they certainly seem able to communicate 

 with each other in a striking way. When a choice 

 piece of food is unearthed they caw softly to them- 

 selves while eating it ; but this note is difficult to 

 hear unless very close. Another note, uttered 

 while on the wing, is a shrill kree-o ; while others 

 sound like kraaw, krraa, kree ; but the time to hear 

 the greatest variety of notes is when, without any 

 apparent reason, they leave the meadow, and all 

 ascend high above the trees, and commence to 

 perform those aerial circles, known as a " school," 

 or the " Rooks' parliament." Many curious antics 

 are performed by a few birds, such as diving from 

 a height and twisting and turning in their down- 

 ward flight. If this is to amuse the others, they 

 certainly show their approval by the Babel of 

 noise they make. Then the " parliament " is 

 rapidly dissolved, and each member having had 

 its say, quietly descends to earth. Country folk 

 say that these " schools " forecast rainy weather. 



One evening, when the Rooks were going home, 



