﻿42 Birds 



buff-coloured arrow-shaped markings ; the wings and tail are dark 

 brown, with buff margins to all the feathers; the bill is lemon- 

 yellow, and the legs and feet chestnut brown. 



BOOK. 



Trypanocorax frugilegus. 



Throughout England, Wales and Ireland the Eook is generally- 

 distributed and abundant. In Scotland it is increasing and 

 extending its range, and has reached the northern islands. During 

 the autumn large numbers arrive on our eastern coasts from abroad, 

 and a return migration takes place in the spring. 



Under existing conditions there are far too many Eooks in this 

 country; their number has so greatly multiplied during recent 

 years that the supply of their natural food is insufficient where 

 these birds congregate in abundance in limited areas. They have 

 consequently to find other food, which has led to the Eook feeding 

 upon grain, roots and fruit. It is, moreover, a great destroyer of 

 eggs of both game and other birds, especially those of the beneficial 

 Lapwing. Therefore, instead of it being useful to agriculture, it 

 has become a harmful species ; whereas, if greatly reduced in 

 numbers, it would again prove beneficial, owing to its more 

 equalised distribution and to the destruction of injurious insects 

 and their larvae which would result. The grain now consumed by 

 Eooks is largely in excess of the insect food, and therefore the 

 number of these birds should be systematically reduced. Besides 

 the customary shooting of their young, shoots should be regularly 

 organised so as greatly to reduce the number of the old birds. 



Upon investigation of the contents of numerous gizzards of 

 Eooks, it has been found that between 60 and 70 per cent, of their 

 food consists of grain, such as _ wheat, barley, etc.; potatoes are 

 also largely devoured. 



Nest building or the repairing of old nests is commenced early 

 in March. The nests are usually placed in the tops of tall trees, 

 but occasionally in large bushes or pollard trees. They are 

 strongly built of branches, twigs and turf, with a lining of roots, 

 hay and straw. The eggs vary from three to five, and are pale blue 

 or light green, blotched, speckled, and streaked with olive-brown. 



The young are generally ready to leave their nests during the 

 second week of May. 



