( 10 ) 

 SOME NOTES ON THE ROOK. 



BY 



STANLEY CROOK. 



Personally I think the Rook {Corvus f. frugilegus) is a 

 much maUgned bird, and certainly during the nesting period 

 it is about the most interesting of all the birds I have yet 

 photographed. 



Nesting operations begin about the end of February, a 

 distinct preference being shown for building in lofty elm 

 trees in the Preston district. The Rook clings with tenacity 

 to its nesting-site and defies snow, frost and bitterly cold 

 north-east winds. I have frequently seen a half -finished 

 nest covered with snow, and though there may be a pause 

 for a few days whilst wintry conditions prevail, at the very 

 first opportunity work is resumed. 



Often when the nest has been almost completed a gale 

 may blow it away, but nothing daunted, building is begun 

 again at once. Both birds go on foraging expeditidns for 

 sticks, and on several occasions I have seen the male bird 

 hand over the stick to the female for her to place in position. 



If the nest is left unprotected for a few minutes, the 

 neighbouring Rooks raid the nest for sticks, and the structure 

 is rapidly reduced in size. It is rarely, however, that the 

 thieves succeed in stealing the foundation sticks. I have 

 watched them again and again tugging with all their 

 strength, but without success. The birds did not always go 

 far from home to obtain their sticks and branches : they 

 frequently dropped on to a dry and rotten branch, hoping 

 to break it off with their weight, and occasionally it would 

 fall to the ground. Sometimes they would follow and pick 

 it up ; at other times they would let it lie. 



When the nest is ready for lining they appear to have 

 favourite trees near at hand and will come time after time 

 to the same tree for short twigs, which they place in the 

 lining of the nest with the wool, feathers, etc. Both birds 

 take turns at " shaping " the nest. I was very interested 

 in watching the male exerting all his strength in this operation, 

 levering his breast against the side of the nest and gradually 

 working all round. During leisure moments the birds 

 frequently indulge in aerial displays, chasing each other to 

 and fro, swooping and banking in fine style. The male 

 would often give a great courting display, somewhat like 

 that of a Pigeon, bowing on opening and closing his tail. 



