72 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



usual habitats and the hedge fruits, and come 

 in the most stealthy manner for choice garden 

 produce. 



It might appear, judging from the large size 

 and colour of the bird simply black, with blue 

 and purple reflections to those that do not 

 know better, to be a very easy feat to shoot 

 a rook. So far as I am able to speak from 

 experience, the man that can lie for a rook, 

 and double him up clean, knows how to handle 

 a gun, and keep out of sight with it. If you 

 wish to shoot rooks, or try at it, you must be 

 under the trees they visit before they reach 

 them. 



No tree that I know gives such quivering 

 play of light and shade as the thick foliage 

 of the walnut. You may know that at least 

 a round dozen are in the tree at work, but 

 peer about and crane your neck as much as 

 you will, not one bird will you make out dis- 

 tinctly ; for the flashes from their plumage, 

 and the play of light and shade on it from 

 the foliage, make a jumble of the whole. At 

 last your chance does come ; for just as you 

 are about to press the trigger, on the off- 

 chance, at a moving form above you, the keen 

 eyes of Tommy Rook catch the glint of the 



