ROOK. 553 



roots, moss and dry leaves, straws, and a few feathers. It is somewhat 

 flat in shape outside ; but inside the hollow is rather deep. Although 

 in rare instances nests of the Rook may be seen loosely made, the 

 majority are singularly strong and compact. Numbers of nests are built 

 near together, in many cases touching one another, the largest and most 

 bulky ones being those which have withstood the storms of many winters 

 and have been added to and strengthened yearly. 



The eggs of the Rook are from three to five in number, and differ con- 

 siderably in size, form, and markings. Some specimens are oval ; others 

 are rounder, whilst many are considerably elongated. Many have the 

 ground-colour green of various shades; whilst in some it is very light 

 blue, almost white. The markings are greenish brown of different degrees 

 of intensity, sometimes interspersed with spots of deep blackish brown. 

 The markings are often so thickly distributed as to hide the ground- 

 colour. They measure from 1'8 to ]/55 inch in length, and from l - 25 to 

 T05 inch in breadth. Should the first clutch of eggs be removed, others 

 will be laid, but in smaller numbers. 



During the second week of April the feeble notes of the young Rooks, 

 swayed to and fro in their elevated cradles, may be heard ; and then the 

 old birds are taxed to the utmost to furnish them with food. From early 

 morning until the dusk of evening the old birds may be seen passing 

 in almost noiseless flight to and from the fields with food for their 

 young. For weeks this goes on, until, in the most forward nests, we see 

 the young birds sitting outside on the branches. The leaves are then 

 rapidly expanding, and partly hide the young from view, who try their 

 wings with little flights from tree to tree and eventually follow their 

 parents to the pastures, and are there fed and tended, returning at 

 nightfall to the nesting-trees. 



It is an interesting sight to watch their evening movements. The 

 babel of sounds is deafening as they wheel round and round previous to 

 alighting. One by one, or in little parties, they perch on the topmost 

 branches, now struggling for a post of vantage or taking short flights, 

 uttering their hoarse caws. In the distance, parties of three or four are 

 winging their way to join the throng. The noise becomes louder, the 

 somewhat shrill cry of the Jackdaw sometimes mingling with the homely 

 caw of the Rook. At last a lull occurs, as the Rooks, perched on every 

 available bough, turn their heads from side to side or preen their glossy 

 plumage. But it is not to last, even though the sun has sunk below the 

 horizon and night is at hand. One of the birds, perched on a dead limb, 

 utters a hoarse caw; another and another answer; now two or three 

 together ; tmd speedily the din is loud, nay, louder than before. Many 

 change their places, their dark forms showing out against the clear western 

 sky. Others hop about the boughs, to be pushed off by their companions 



