182 Roohs and Rookeries. By James Small. 



Mr Jolin Elliot, Flatt, Liddesdale : 



" Do not know that rooks eat turnips here or clover, or prey on eggs or 

 raw game." 



Sir Walter EUiot of Wolflee : 



" Mainly insectivorous. About eight years ago my tenant, Mr Wilson, 

 Cleughhead, sowed a field with barley close to his house. The rooks settled 

 on the field in great numbers, and he begged my keeper to shoot them. He 

 accordingly killed two, and he and Mr Wilson opened their crops on the spot. 

 One grain was found in one and three ia the other, but both were crammed 

 fuU of grubs." 



The late Professor EUiot, Goldielands, Hawick : 



" The main food of the rooks is grubs of various kinds, and occasionally 

 com and potatoes. They never touch turnips unless forced by famine ; but 

 they pull up the young turnips to get at the maggots at the roots. Here they 

 do much more good than harm." 



Mr T. Elliot Boog, Timpendean, Jedburgh : 



" Eat turnips undoubtedly. Have known them to destroy game eggs of all 

 kinds, but particularly black game, in a dry season. When there is not much 

 food on the low lands they take to the hUls and moors." 



Dr. F. Douglas, Woodside, Kelso : 



" Their food consists chiefly of grubs, but they will eat bulbs of turnips. 

 They make no habit of preying on birds' eggs or young birds." 



Mr T. EUiot, Hindhope, Jedburgh : 



"Turnips and clover. Prey very strong on game eggs; and they lift 

 young ducks." 



The late W. Grieve, Sk'elfhiU, Hawick : 



" Eat eggs, carrion, com, potatoes. Prom an agricultural or pastoral point 

 of view I think rooks of the greatest service ia moderate nimibers ; but the 

 fewer the better from a game point of view." 



Mr John Simson, Oxnam Eow, Jedburgh : 



" Principally grub and worms. Eggs and young of game. Turnips in 

 winter." 



Mr John Clay, Kerchesters, Kelso, writes 



much the same as Mr Simson ; and adds that rooks " sometimes injure 

 young lambs." 



Mr James Wood, keeper, Floors Castle : 



" Grain and animal food ; bulbs of turnips and eggs and young of game 

 and other birds." 



Mr J. S. Dudgeon, Longnewton Place : 



" Grub of all kinds preferred to all other food. Vegetable food only taken 

 when there is a scarcity of insect matter. I believe they do much more good 

 than harm to farmers." 



Mr E. Kerr, keeper, Springwood Park : 



" I have seen them kill leverets and young rabbits, and destroy eggs of 

 game birds, and carry off the young." 



