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CHAPTER XIX. 



A GREAT BIRD-FIGHT. 



At Hern wood exists one of the largest Rookeries 

 in the country. Hundreds of Rooks annually 

 nest there ; and vast flocks, counting thousands, 

 fly to and fro morning and evening. At times 

 other than the breeding season the tall trees of 

 the wood constitute one mighty roost. 



At the grey of morning the birds go forth 

 with loud clamour and caw, and are dispersed 

 over their feeding-grounds before the mists have 

 rolled from the valleys. They are abroad thus 

 early in search of wireworms and larvae. The 

 freshly ploughed fields in spring attract them 

 even before light has come. Their return 

 to roost is more regular than their dispersal. 

 At evening — in nesting-time, often after dark 

 —the rooks in long lines fly down the valleys, 



