242 CROWS AND ROOKS. 



liaritj. It has been well argued in favour of the 

 former opinion, that a specimen was killed whose 

 beak was much longer than usual, and the extremities 

 of which were not only much curved, but actually 

 crossed like a Crossbill's, and that the base of the 

 beak of this bird, from an impossibility of its being 

 thrust into the ground, was clothed with a full 

 plumage of bristles, and not bare like those of other 

 Rooks. On the other hand, it has been urged, that 

 if these bristles were worn down by being thrust 

 into the ground, they would be renewed like other 

 feathers at the regular moulting- time ; and, further, 

 as all new feathers are full of blood at the roots, 

 any application tending to grind them down, would 

 be so painful to the Rook, that it would be very un- 

 willing, if indeed able, to thrust its beak into the 

 ground ; and again, which we consider as a still 

 stronger argument, it may be asked, if the Rooks' 

 bristles are destroyed by this process, how comes it 

 that the Jackdaw, Jay, and Magpie, and some other 

 birds retain them, though as constantly thrusting their 

 beaks into the ground in search of worms, as the 

 Rooks ? 



When viewed together, a further distinction will 

 be seen between the Rook and the Common Crow, 

 in the glossy colours of their plumage ; that of the 

 Rook being more inclined to a rich purple, whereas, 

 that of the Crow is of a greenish blue. There is one 

 other supposed distinctive mark, which we shall 

 mention, merely because we believe it does not 

 exist : namely, that the Rook has a pouch under its 

 chin, in which it can carry a full supply of food for 

 its young. 



