ROOKS AND ROOK-SHOOTING 



THE noisy cawing of the rooks in March as they set to 

 work repairing the great twig-nests, which, despite their 

 wonderful construction, the fierce winter storms have 

 rendered untenable as a nursery for the sable nestlings, 

 is a sure indication of the approach of spring. But the 

 nest once more repaired and made weather-proof, there 

 is but little fear that either the green-blue olive-spotted 

 eggs or the young ones will come to any harm; for, 

 fearfully though the gale may rock the twig-built cradles 

 placed amongst the very topmost branches of the grove 

 of ancient timber trees which forms the site of the rookery, 

 hardly a twig will be displaced. 



Notwithstanding all that may be said to the contrary, 

 notwithstanding Corvus frugilegus may do a great deal 

 of good to the land in the way of destroying a multitude 

 of grubs and insects noxious to the husbandman, he is a 

 very great pest to the agriculturist, arboriculturist, and 

 game preserver. He roots up grass and young corn, 

 and plays havoc with growing crops generally; he 

 breaks up the tender twigs of trees with his powerful 

 beak with as much ease as a strong man will divide a 

 match, while the most tolerant of game rearers even will 

 assuredly tell you that as an egg thief and poacher of 

 helpless pheasant and partridge chicks the rook is bad 

 to beat. It is therefore absolutely essential that annual 



raids should be organised against large rookeries through- 



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