c 531 ) 

 CHAP. XV. 



OBSTACLES. 



ROOKS. 



" SELDOM attempted to be shot in East Norfolk, 

 where a notion prevails, and is, perhaps, well founded, 

 that rooks are essentially useful to the farmer, in picking 

 up worms and grubs, especially the grub of the cock- 

 chafer, injurious to meadows and marshes." — Afr. Adar- 

 shall. Confirmed in the following note of Mr. John- 

 son, of Thurning. 



I cannot but notice two growing evils with us, of 

 which but little notice is taken: — ist, the number of in- 

 se(Sls in the lands, owing to the loss of rooks, by felling 

 so many rookeries, and not taking care of what are left ; 

 2d, the increase of mice, and, were I to give my opinion 

 as to quantity and damage done, but few would give cre- 

 dit to it : 1 have, at different times, had five mice killed 

 to every coomb of corn moved off the stacks in the sum- 

 mer season, and soinetimes double diat quantity ; besides 

 being on every other part ot the premises, corn and grass 

 pieces not excepted. Some are driven into the barns and 

 stacks in wet seasons ; but when wheat stands long on the 

 shock, we are sure to have most mice in our barns and 

 stacks, except v/hcre they are driven away by some 

 other vermin : — in my memory there were 20 grey owls, 

 where there are now one, and though the country was in a 

 rougher state, we had not so many mice, the owls prey 

 T t 2 very 



