ROOKS. 197 



A Rook, which we kept for some time, was, after a night's 

 fast, fed entirely upon oats, of which it ate, in twenty-four 

 hours, two ounces, of sixteen ounces to the pound ; while 

 another, under similar circumstances, consumed two ounces 

 and a half of bread. 



This certainly would hear strongly against them, was there 

 nothing to be said in mitigation ; but it should be remem- 

 bered, that the above consumption is founded upon the sup- 

 position that Rooks live entirely upon grain, which, so far 

 from being the case, is very much the reverse ; for they prefer 

 an insect diet, if not altogether, at least to a great extent. 

 And even with respect to grain, they will not willingly eat 

 it, except in a particular state, preferring it when somewhat 

 softened, and more particularly during the time of its under- 

 going the natural malting process, when it not only swells, 

 but becomes soft, with an addition of about two-thirds of 

 gum and sugar to the small quantity it before contained. 

 During this critical time, the fresh-sown crop is undoubtedly 

 in some peril, as well as a short time before harvest, when the 

 soft and sweet ears of green grain offer irresistible tempta- 

 tion to a robbery, of which it is to be feared they must be 

 found guilty ; and no money can be more profitably laid out, 

 at such critical moments, than the daily wages of a few boys, 

 for the sole purpose of frightening them away. 



Fresh-planted potatoes are also, for a time, in jeopardy ; 

 but when they have fairly sprouted, the Rook's depredations 

 are suspended till the season of digging them up, when a 

 trifling loss may be sustained by their carrying off a few 

 of such smaller ones as they can conveniently grasp in their 

 bills. 



Such are the depredations which may be fairly laid to their 

 account; but, nevertheless, we feel quite certain, that on 

 striking a fair balance, the advantage will be in favour of 

 preserving the Rooks, and that if every nest were pulled to 

 pieces, the farmers would soon do all in their power to induce 

 the old birds to rebuild them ; finding out, when too late, that 

 their crops might suffer the fate which befel an entire district 

 in Germany, and which was once nearly deprived of its corn- 



