80 BRITISH BIRDS. 



to begin their work anew in some more undisturbed 

 situation : of this we had a remarkable instance in 

 Newcastle. In the year 1783, a pair of Rooks, after 

 an unsuccessful attempt to establish themselves in 

 a rookery at no great distance from the Exchange, 

 were compelled to abandon the attempt. They took 

 refuge on the spire of that building, and although 

 constantly interrupted by other Rooks, built their 

 nest on the top of the vane, and brought forth their 

 young, undisturbed by the noise of the populace 

 below them ; the nest and its inhabitants turning 

 about with every change of the wind. They returned 

 and built their nest every year on the same place 

 till 1793, soon after which the spire was taken 

 down. 



