146 THE ROOK. 



lify them for social life, and make it more de- 

 sirable that each pair should retire into solitude, 

 and lead the same recluse life as the raven. But 

 this is not their choice ; they will dwell in the 

 midst of their brethren if possible, though they 

 are sure to be in a continual state of warfare 

 during the building time, robbing and pulling to 

 pieces each other's nests whenever an opportunity 

 offers. Some unfortunate pairs are not permit- 

 ted to finish a nest till the rest have all com- 

 pleted theirs. No sooner have they collected a 

 few sticks, and laid the foundation, than in rush 

 the marauders, tear the unfinished dwelling to 

 pieces, and seize on the materials for their own 

 use. When the nests are once fairly completed, 

 a more peaceful state of affairs ensues ; but noisy 

 and clamorous they still remain. Perhaps it is 

 then rather 



" The clash of argument and jar of words," 



since the great source of contest, the materials 

 for building, no longer excite their cabals. One 

 thing is certain were they less clamorous they 

 would be less amusing. 



Common as these birds are, and freely as they 

 colonize in some places, they are, nevertheless, 

 a very independent race, and will come at no 

 man's bidding. We might sometimes fancy they 



