PERCHING BIRDS. 117 



cabbages, and even attack the turnips. On the 

 other hand, the amount of grubs and other enemies 

 to the growing crops which they destroy, is really 

 enormous. On the whole the verdict seems to be 

 decidedly in their favour; and it is generally 

 decided that "the rook must be reckoned among 

 the farmer's best friends ; and, in proportion as 

 a knowledge of insect-foes increases, so much the 

 more will he rise in our estimation." Indepen- 

 dently, too, of the good services which these birds 

 render, how pleasant is the regularity with which 

 they carry on their movements to and fro, day by 

 day ; early in the morning wending their way to 

 the fields, and at night returning in gathering 

 flocks, with pleasant cawiiigs, to their roosts ; and 

 their happy noises and busy flutterings as they 

 tend their young in the nesting season, their 

 early rising, their constant labour, and the order 

 and police which they maintain at that time, are 

 all very curious. The cawing and bustle begin 

 at the greyest dawn, and most industrious is the 

 man who can get to his work before the rook. " Ask 

 the beasts, and they shall tell; the birds, and 

 they shalHnstruct thee." It is good at this season 

 to be near a rookery. There is no dozing ; they 

 will not allow you to " lose thought'' in bed. You 

 cannot sleep : you must rise, or suffer for it. But 

 at night they disturb you not. ' ' Early to bed 



