io8 THE FLIGHT OF ROOKS 



When it is time to move on to fresh ground, or 

 an intruder is sighted, one or more of the birds 

 rise ; the rest immediately take wing, when the 

 lot converge and sweep off together as before. 

 But the movement is not in response to a 

 leader. 



Though I believe telepathy is general 

 throughout the Animal World, mind-blending, 

 in regard to flight, does not include all gre- 

 garious birds, for it is not, in all cases, neces- 

 sary as a protection. 



For instance, rooks, who go about in large 

 flocks, have no system of flight. Keeping one 

 another in sight they fly in a careless, slovenly 

 manner ; the most casual observer cannot fail 

 to notice the difference between the rhythmical 

 evolutions of plover and the clumsy flight of a 

 flock of rooks. Rooks are essentially " Ex- 

 posers," they make no attempt at conceal- 

 ment; on the contrary, with much clamour 

 and a conspicuous appearance, they freely 

 advertise themselves to the country round for 

 what they are worth, which, as prey, is 

 practically nothing ; for with tough coarse 

 flesh surmounted by a covering of strongly 

 adhering feathers, rooks are little sought by 

 man or predaceous birds. In fact, their 

 worthlessness is their safety. But a sub- 

 order (Corvidae), viz., starUngs, are remarkable 



