Fifty Common Birds of China 



(3) EASTERN ROOK {Fig. 4). 



Corvus frugilegus pastinator. Length 19 inches. 



Bill and legs black. Iris blackish brown. 



Plumage. Deep black, head and neck glossed^with purple. Bill of 

 adult bird is bare from base of bill to eye and a ^mall patch at the base 

 of the lower mandible. 



The characteristics which distingush the Rook from the Crow are 

 (a) More smooth and « thtHg ' plumage, (b) Finer bill, (c) Bare bill of adult, 



(d) The Rooks and Jackdraws gather in large flocks as the Crows do not. 



Characteristics. The Rooks roost in trees in or near a city or large 

 village and they go out to the fields at sunrise, returning about sunset. 

 In the fields flocks of Rooks are often seen, seeking worms and insects 

 and also gtain, preferably in freshly tupned soil. 



Distribution. All China. 



Nest and Eggs, The Rook nests in colonies, often iS or 20 nests in 

 a tree sometimes on a busy city street. Nest is made of sticks thrown 

 togather and lined with straw, etc. Eggs 4-S in a clutch, greenish blue, 

 marked with lighter or darker brown. 



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(21) 



