92 The Naturalist in Siluria. 



THE CUNNING OF ROOKS IN THEIR CHOICE 

 OF NESTING-PLACES. 



I have often noticed the preference of Rooks for build- 

 ing about churches, as a proof of instinct, or, to call it 

 by its proper name, an act of ratiocination, admonish- 

 ing them that such places afford greater security. I 

 might have added that the same process of reasoning 

 also guides them to build in gentlemen's parks, and by 

 grand mansions, knowing these to be, if not sacred as the 

 precincts of the church, equally, or even more, safe from 

 the intrusion of nest-robbing boys and the danger of 

 ten-shilling licensed guns. I know of parks where Rooks 

 have their nests on trees so low, and, to coin a word, so 

 climbable, that a six-years-old urchin might easily ascend 

 to and despoil them either of their egg treasures or 

 chicks. But the proprietors will not allow this ; and so 

 year after year the birds come back with equal, and, it 

 may be, increased, confidence. 



THE ROOK IN A COURT OF LAW. 



Many people desire to have a rookery in proximity to 

 their houses ; nor can there be any wonder at this. For, 

 despite some disagreeables attendant, the cawing of these 

 birds, so familiar as to seem the conversation of friends, 

 with the opportunity of watching their many quaint ways 

 and movements, is certainly worth something. Yet is 

 there great difficulty, as an Know who have tried it, in 

 getting Rooks to breed upon trees not self-chosen ; and 



