HOOKS. 243 



It is perfectly true, that Rooks appear to hare 

 such an appendage, which, in the Spring-time, is 

 particularly conspicuous, when they may be seen 

 flying with a swelling under the throat of the size of 

 a Pigeon's-egg; but closer observers have discovered 

 that in the Crow, Jackdaw, &c., there is the same 

 elasticity and pliability of the skin ; and that they 

 not only can, but do often take in a provision of 

 food, which swells the upper part of the throat out 

 to a considerable size ; though, owing to the gray 

 colour of the Rook's chin, this swelling is more 

 apparent. 



We now come to a more important question re- 

 specting Rooks ; in the settlement of which, the 

 world is much divided. Are they beneficial or in- 

 jurious to man ? Is the farmer a gainer or a loser, 

 by being subjected to the daily visits of two or three 

 hundred of these birds from a rookery ? 



In former days, there can be no question of public 

 opinion being entirely against them, and that the 

 destruction of Rooks was regular and systematic; an 

 inference which may be fairly drawn from the fol- 

 lowing entry amongst certain presentments con- 

 cerning the parish of Alderley, in Cheshire, in 1598, 

 being the fortieth year of queen Elizabeth's reign : 

 " We find that there is no Crow-nett in the parish, 

 a payne that one be bought by the charge of the 

 parish/' 



As in most cases, so in this, we are inclined to 

 think that a great deal may be said on both sides ; 

 for, as the Rook cannot be altogether acquitted of 

 the charge of doing some harm, so neither is he to 

 be found guilty of doing nothing but mischief. We 



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