BRITISH BIRDS. 79 



that mode of subsistence, we are inclined to con- 

 sider it an original peculiarity. Rooks are fond of 

 the erucae of the hedge-chafer, or chesnut brown 

 beetle,* for which they search with indefatigable 

 pains. They are often accused of feeding on the 

 corn just after it has been sown, and various con- 

 trivances have been made both to kill and frighten 

 them away; but, in our estimation, the advantages 

 derived from the destruction which they make 

 among grubs, larvae, worms, and noxious insects, 

 greatly overpay the injury done to the future har- 

 vest, by the small quantity of corn they may destroy 

 in searching after their favourite food. They are 

 gregarious, and fly in immense flocks morning and 

 evening to and from their roosting places in quest 

 of food. During the breeding time they are jealous 

 and watchful, and will rob each other when they 

 can. They live together in large societies, and 

 build close to each other in trees, frequently in 

 the midst of large and populous towns. These 

 rookeries, however, are often the scenes of bitter 

 contests : the new-comers are frequently driven 

 away by the old inhabitants, their half-built nests 

 torn in pieces, and the unfortunate couple forced 



* These insects appear in hot weather, in formidable numbers, 

 disrobing the fields and trees of their verdure, blossoms, and fruit, 

 spreading desolation and destruction wherever they go. They ap- 

 peared in great numbers in Ireland during a hot summer, and 

 committed great ravages. In the year 1747, whole meadows and 

 corn fields were destroyed by them in Suffolk. The decrease of 

 rookeries in that county was thought to be the occasion of it. The 

 many rookeries with us is in some measure the reason why we 

 have so few of these destructive insects. 



Wallis's History of Northumberland. 



