130 WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



stream many yards wide flying all the time, 

 performing many evolutions in the air if there 

 be a bit of a breeze ; but this is best seen on 

 a windy morning when they are going to their 

 feeding grounds. In the evening, on their return, 

 they are often very noisy this is said to be a 

 sign of rain and will fly round and round above 

 the trees on which they roost, chasing and playing 

 with each other like children, who, when bed- 

 time approaches, are most lively and disinclined 

 to retire. 



In a time of drought, or during hard frost 

 and snow, the Rooks are at great straits to 

 procure food, and have often to go long dis- 

 tances sometimes to the sea-shore to get as 

 much as will sustain them. In the early morn- 

 ing they get worms that have come to the surface 

 during the night when the dew falls, and they 

 work early and late in the fields during the 

 process of nidification. 



The Rook is an adept at turning over clods 

 to get the grubs that shelter beneath, and with 



