104 THE CROW. 



and although perpetually insulted and interrupted by 

 the other llooks, they continued to work, until they 

 finished a nest on the top of the vane. Here they 

 reared their young, and although the nest and its in- 

 habitants were turned about by every change of wind, 

 still they become so attached to the place as to return 

 and occupy the same nest for ten successive years. 

 The spire was then pulled down, and these faithful 

 birds were compelled to seek another place. 



This circumstance was so curious, and the inhabit- 

 ants of Newcastle felt such an interest in these birds, 

 that an engraver there, executed a small representation 

 of the top of the spire, the vane, and the nest, and such 

 was the demand for this little curiosity, that the artist 

 made a considerable sum of money for his pains. 



The substance of the following account of a com- 

 munity of Rooks, is related by Dr. Percival. 



A large colony of Rooks lived many years in a grove 

 on the bank of a river near Manchester, in England. 

 On a pleasant morning, it was curious and interesting 

 to watch the various labours and amusements of this 

 crowded society. The idle members amused them- 

 selves by chasing each other in every direction ; and 

 in their flight, they made the air resound with their 

 discordant croakings. 



In the midst of these playful tricks, it unfortunately 

 happened that one Rook, by a sudden turn, struck his 

 bill against the wing of another, and the blow was 

 such as to throw the wounded bird into the river. 

 On seeing this, the sport ceased in an instant, and a 

 general cry of distress was heard throughout the com- 

 munity. All the birds hovered, with every expression 



