226 Wild Life in a Southern County 



the same manner as before, close to the surface. In cross- 

 ing the lake, too, against the wind, he flies within a few 

 feet of the water. 



During such a gale a rook may often be seen struggling 

 to get over a row of trees, and stationary, though using 

 his wings vigorously, suspended a little way above the 

 topmost branches. Frequently he has to give up the 

 attempt, turn back, and make a detour. 



Though rooks usually go in flocks, individuals some- 

 times get separated, and may be seen flying alone on the 

 way to rejoin their friends. A flock of rooks, on rising, 

 occasionally divides into two or more parties. Each 

 section wheels off on its own course, while sometimes a 

 small number of those who chance to be near the centre 

 of the original formation seem at a loss which company to 

 follow, and settle down again on the field. So a dozen or 

 more become separated from the crowd, and presently, 

 when they rise, they too divide ; three or four fly one way 

 to join one section, and others take another route. Indi- 

 viduals thus find themselves alone ; but that causes them 

 no uneasiness, as they have their well-known places of 

 rendezvous, and have only to fly to certain fields to be 

 sure of meeting their friends, or at most to wait about 

 near the nesting-trees till the rest come. 



It must not, therefore, be supposed that every one 

 flying alone is a crow. Crows are scarce in comparison 

 with rooks. In severe weather a rook will sometimes 

 venture into the courtyard of the farmstead. 



Two rooks marked with white resided at the rookery 

 here for several years. One had sufficient white to be 

 distinguished at a distance ; the other seemed to have but 

 one or two feathers, which were, however, visible enough 

 when near the bird. As they have not been seen lately, 



