THE CROW. 10S 



others will follow, and pull it in pieces. Some unhap- 

 py pairs are not permitted to build their nests at any 

 place, until all the rest have finished theirs, for as soon 

 as they have placed a few sticks together as a founda- 

 tion, a party will come, and throw them on the ground. 

 This, probably, is owing to some offence they have 

 given to the community. 



As soon as the Rooks have finished their nests, and , 

 before they lay their eggs, the males begin to bring 

 food and feed the females ; and they continue to sup- 

 ply them in this manner during the whole time they 

 are sitting, and until the young are of considerable 

 size, thus leaving the mothers entire leisure to take 

 care of their young in the best manner. 



When a community of these birds is once formed, 

 they seldom admit strangers among them. If new- 

 comers from other societies appear in the neighbour- % 

 hood, the old inhabitants are so uncivil as to give them 

 a severe beating, and drive them away. 



A curious instance of this kind happened at New- 

 castle, in England. Near that town there was a large 

 rookery, which had been established for many years ; 

 and it seems that this community had, as usual, adopt- 

 ed the rule, that their numbers should not be increased 

 by the admission of strangers among them. One year 

 however, in defiance of this rule, a pair of strange 

 Rooks came and attempted to join this society by 

 building their nest among the others. But they were 

 constantly beaten by the old inhabitants ; their nest 

 was pulled down, and they were finally compelled to 

 quit the place. These poor birds then took refuge on 

 the spire of the Exchange, in the midst of the town, 



