204 The Naturalist in Siluria. 



lively tame, permitting nearer approach, as though they 

 knew that on the Lord's day there was no danger of their 

 being molested. I myself have noticed their air of fear- 

 lessness, or trusting confidence, on this day greater than 

 on others, and have no doubt of the fact. But how is it 

 brought about? Sagacious bird as is the rook, its 

 sagacity can hardly be equal to counting seven, or keep- 

 ing a calendar. That it can tell a gun from an umbrella 

 or walking-stick, or farm implement, is a fact well known; 

 but its being able to distinguish Sundays from week-days 

 is a still greater stretch of reasoning intelligence. 



My friend offers an explanation, which is, no doubt, 

 the true one : that the birds are made aware of the 

 sanctity of the day, or rather its safety to themselves, 

 by the ringing of the bells, and the assembling of the 

 people for worship. 



It would be worth noting whether they also lay aside 

 their shyness on occasions when there is a funeral, or 

 week-day service in the church. 



WHY DO ROOKS BUILD BY CHURCHES? 



In relationship with the fact of the rook distinguishing 

 between Sundays and week-days is another of almost 

 equal singularity their choosing trees in proximity to 

 the church as a nesting- place. For that they show this 

 preference seems unquestionable. Proof of it may be 

 seen at many country churches, where there are rookeries 

 established on scant half a dozen trees of no great height, 

 and easily accessible to the bird-nesting boy ; while in the 

 near neighbourhood are clumps of tall ones, just the sort 



