Rooks and Rookeries. By James Small. 179 



rookeries have been destroyed or curtailed; and those in a posi- 

 tion to lessen the damage done by rooks would by largely lessen- 

 ing their number benefit both farmers and sportsmen, as well as 

 the general pubHe. 



The following extract from the First Parliament xxvi of May, 

 1424, cap. 19, James I of Scotland, was kindly sent me by Sir 

 George Scott Douglas. 



First Parliament, xxvi of May, 1424, Cap. 19, James I of Scotland. 



Of bigging of Euikes in trees. 

 " For thy that men conaidderis that Euikes biggand in Kirk Zairdes, 

 Orchardes, or Trees, dois greate shaith upon Cornes : It is ordained that 

 they that sik Trees perteinis to, lette them to big, and suffer on na wise 

 that their Birdes flie away. And quhair it be tainted that they big, 

 and the Birdes be flowin, and the nest be funden in the Trees at 

 Beltane the tres sal be foirfaulted to the King (bot gif they be redeemed 

 fra him, throw them that they first perteined to) and hewin downe, and 

 five schilUngs to the Kingis unlaw." 



I now annex some quotations from the returns received in 

 answer to the query as to the food of rooks, as put in the 

 schedule sent out. 



BERWICKSHIEE. 



Mr E. Logan, Birkenside : 



" Eat grain, worms, potatoes. Being now much overstocked, rooks have 

 taken to other than their legitimate food, such as clover roots, and turnip 

 bulbs." 



Mr Q. Muirhead, Paxton : 



" Evidently omnivorous in this district. One caught lately here in a trap 

 set at a call-duck's nest. It had eaten five of the eggs before the trap was 

 set, and when caught the culprit was in the act of breakfasting on the re- 

 maining eggs in the nest." 



Mr James Macpherson, keeper, Mellerstain : 



" Feed on bulbs of turnips largely in winter. Don't think they eat clover. 

 Have sufficient proof that they take eggs of pheasants and partridges and also 

 young birds, having killed them in the act." 



Mr A. Campbell Swinton of Kimmerghame : 



" Eat bulbs of turnips and eggs of pheasant and partridge." 



Mr A. Hutton, keeper, Oarolside : 

 " Very destructive on eggs of game." 

 Mr P. Scott, keeper, Thirlstane Castle : 



" Eat eggs of game birds, and bulbs of turnips. Once saw a company of 

 rooks fly at and kill a full grown blackbird."' 

 Mr J. Ferguson, Dunse : 

 " Eat chiefly worms and larvae, and in the season corn and young potatoes." 



