272 Wild Life in a Southern County. 
the opportunity, without reference to times or seasons, 
whether they are building or not. 
The young rooks that escape being shot seem to 
be fed, or partly fed, by the old birds for some time’ 
after they can fly well and follow their parents. It is 
easy to know when there are young rooks in a flock 
feeding in a field. At the first glance the rooks look 
scattered about, without any order, each independent 
of the other. But in a few minutes it will be noticed 
that here and there are groups of three, which keép 
close together. These are formed of the parents and 
the young bird—apparently as big and as black as 
themselvés—which they feed now and then. The 
young bird, by attending to their motions, learns where 
to find the best food. As late as July trios like this 
may sometimes be seen. 
Besides the young birds that have the good 
fortune to pass unscathed through the dangers of rook- 
shooting day, and escape being knocked over after- 
wards, some few get off on account of having been 
born earlier than the majority, thus possessing a 
stronger power of flight. Some nests are known to bé 
more forward than the others ; but although the young 
birds may be on the point of departing, they are not 
killed because the noise of the firing would disturb 
the whole settlement. So that it becomes the rook’s 
interest to incubate a little in advance of the rest. 
After a few months they are put into another 
terrible fright—on the first of September. Guns are 
