124 WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



insects ? There is, indeed, not very much to 

 choose between the thieving Rook and gentle 

 Dove." 



It must, however, not be forgotten that the 

 Rook gathers at least part of his foods on the 

 road in the shape of spent grain in horses' 

 excrement and also grain found amongst the dung 

 carted to the fields, &c. That the birds some- 

 times steal and damage the grain in stacks built 

 in the fields and insufficiently thatched, is too 

 often seen to be doubted. But their stealing 

 artificial foods from the troughs put down in the 

 fields to feed sheep or cattle could surely be 

 prevented at a little cost. Either the animals 

 get more than they can eat or the attendant is 

 careless in filling the troughs. By standing beside 

 the animals a few moments he could see if they 

 cleaned all up ; if not, he could remove what was 

 left. It is this, and what is spilt in filling the 

 feeding troughs, that the Rooks eat. If it was 

 not there they would not get it. 



It is also possible to " fleg " the Rooks from 



