242 Young Rooks. 



after they can fly well and follow their parents. It 

 is eas}' to know when there are 3'oung rooks in a 

 flock feeding in a field. At the first glance the rooks 

 look scattered abont, without any order, each inde- 

 pendent of the other. But in a few minutes it will 

 be noticed that here and there are groups of three, 

 which keep close together. These are formed of the 

 parents and the young bird — apparentl}' as big and 

 as black as themselves — which they feed now and 

 then. The 3'onng bird, bj^ attending to their motions, 

 learns where to find the best food. As late as July 

 trios like this may sometimes be seen. 



Besides the young birds that have the good fortune 

 to pass unscathed through the dangers of rook-shoot- 

 ing day, and escape being knocked over afterwards, 

 some few get off on account of having been born 

 earlier than the majority, thus possessing a stronger 

 power of flight. Some nests are known to be more 

 forward than the others ; but although the young birds 

 ma}' be on the point of departing, the}' are not 

 killed because the noise of the firing would disturb 

 the whole settlement. So that it becomes the rook's 

 interest to incubate a little in advance of the rest. 



After a few months the}' are put into another 

 terrible fright — on the first of September. Guns are 

 going otf in all directions, no matter where they turn, 

 so that they find it impossible to feel at ease, and 

 instead of feeding wheel about in the air or settle 

 on the trees. 



The gloss}' plumage of the rook will sometimes, 

 when seen at a certain angle, reflect the sun's rays 

 in such a manner that instead of looking black the 

 bird appears clothed in shining light : it is as if the 



