APPENDIX. 591 



To J. M. Hog, Esq. 



WALTON HALL, March 19, 1844. 



Sir, Your communication to Mr Dixon is so much to the pur- 

 pose, and contains such sound arguments, that I consider a report 

 from myself would be nearly superfluous. 



However, at your desire, I will enter briefly into the subject, for I 

 hold the rooks in great request. 



We have innumerable quantities of these birds in this part of 

 Yorkshire, and we consider them our friends. 



They appear in thousands upon our grass lands, and destroy 

 myriads of insects. After they have done their work in these 

 enclosures, you may pick up basketfuls of grass plants all injured 

 at the roots, by the gnawing insect. We prize the birds much for 

 this ; and we pronounce them most useful guardians of our meadows 

 and our pastures. Whenever we see the rooks in our turnip fields, 

 we know then to our sorrow what is going on there. We are aware 

 that grubs are destroying the turnips, and we hail with pleasure 

 the arrival of the rooks which alone can arrest their dreaded 

 progress. 



I have never seen the least particle of turnip or of turnip-top in 

 the craws of rooks, either young or old. If these birds feed on 

 Swedish turnips in Scotland, they abstain from such food here, so 

 far as I can learn by inquiry. Perhaps they may be taking insects 

 in the time that they are seen perforating the turnip. Dissection 

 would set this doubt at rest for ever. No farmer in our neighbour- 

 hood ever complains that his Swedish turnips are injured by the 

 rook. 



The services of the rook to our oak trees are positively beyond 

 estimation. I do believe, if it were not for this bird, all the young 

 leaves on our oaks would be consumed by the cockchafers. 



Whilst the ringdove is devouring the heart shoot of the rising 

 clover in spring, you may see the rook devouring insects in the same 

 field. 



The flesh of the rook is excellent. I consider it as good as that 



