March 



other, so that their beaks all but meet on the 

 ground, whilst their spread tails are erected sym- 

 metrically in the air. During this grotesque see- 

 sawing, the male emits a low guttural sound, not 

 unlike the "laughter" of the "laughing" gull. 

 If any too attentive gentleman strays undesirably 

 near his " charmer," the rook, unlike the missel- 

 thrush, wastes no time in idle finesse, but just 

 " goes " for him, gets his beak fastened in the 

 intruder's poll, and pins him to the ground. The 

 cries of the chastised one cause a crowd of rooks to 

 rush up, and these stand round, not fighting them- 

 selves, but cawing wildly, with necks and wings 

 outstretched, to those so engaged. 



Such of our rooks as have old nests returned to 

 roost permanently by them during the first week in 

 March, and the male may now be seen occupied the 

 day over bringing sticks for the repair of the nest 

 and food for his mate, whom he leaves in charge 

 during his excursions. The twigs are for the most 

 part gathered from the surrounding trees, being 

 broken off by the male with considerable force. 

 He then presents them to his partner with a self- 

 satisfied caw, and after helping to fix them in 

 position, sets off again, leaving her on guard. For 

 there are thieves among rooks, and the verb " to 

 rook " was not coined for nothing. A sudden caw 

 recalls the cock if a marauder approaches the nest, 

 and he comes sweeping back, getting above his 

 adversary, if possible, and, dropping upon him, 



79 



