Wanton Destruction. 279 
seemed to have but one or two feathers, which were, 
however, visible enough when near the bird. As they 
have not been seen lately, they have probably been 
‘shot by some one who thought it clever to destroy 
anything out of the ordinary. Most large rookeries 
can either show a rook with white feathers, or have 
well authenticated records of their former existence ; 
but though not rare, people naturally like to preserve 
them when they do occur, and it is extremely annoy- 
ing to have them wantonly killed. 
