THE ZOOLOGIST. 
THIRD SERIES. 
Vou. IT.] DECEMBER, 1878. [No. 24. 
THE ROOKS AND ROOKERIES OF LONDON. 
By Aurrep Newton, M.A., F.R.S. 
Dr. HamitTon’s account of “The Rooks and Rookeries of 
London” (supra pp. 193—199) has lately done me so much good 
service that I feel bound to tender my thanks to its author. At 
the same time I believe that he has in a few details been led 
astray, and, as the subject is (or ought to be) interesting to many 
readers of this Magazine, it seems to me as well that these errors (as 
they appear to be) should be noticed. There are none, however, 
which are more than trivial, and I may perhaps incur the charge of 
being hypercritical in pointing them out, though to the Londoners 
of future generations, when the Rook is exterminated, every 
particular concerning its former abode within their precincts will 
doubtless be cherished. Some years ago I appealed to the readers 
of the two weekly newspapers which often contain matter of value 
to the naturalist for information on the subject of London Rooks. 
To my great disappointment little or none was supplied. It has 
often been remarked that Londoners take no pride in their immense 
town, but I had hoped that some of the many ornithologists who 
constantly traverse its thoroughfares might, with satisfaction, have 
given a few particulars of the very considerable number (allowing for 
circumstances) of Rookeries existing within its limits—Rookeries 
which have for a long time excited the attention of no ordinary 
men—witness Oliver Goldsmith, Horace Walpole, and Charles 
Lamb. 
Dr. Hamilton’s paper therefore afforded me great satisfaction, 
as containing the results of the continuous observations of many 
3 L 
