CHOUGHS, CROWS, AND HOOKS. 47 



and my double gun wasloaded with BB (for Roe); but the intense interest 

 of this chase left no other thought, and I was curious to see the end 

 of their proceedings. Finally, descending from my tree, I carried home the 

 salmon, which weighed twelve and a half pounds." 



This graphic account of the way in which an Otter hunts 

 and kills a fish shows what keen pleasure may be derived from 

 observation of the habits of wild animals in their natural haunts. 

 We commend it for general perusal, but especially for the perusal 

 of those who, knowing little or nothing about natural history, 

 never see or hear of an Otter without thoughtlessly devisiDg 

 measures for its destruction. 



CHOUGHS, CROWS, AND ROOKS. 

 By the Editor. 



In a recent number (Zool. 1893, p. 332), allusion was made 

 to the fact that the name " Chough" was in old time commonly 

 applied to the Jackdaw. In addition to the illustrations already 

 given (I.e.) of this use of the word, it might have been mentioned 

 that the Jackdaw was so styled by Act of Parliament. 



In the year 1533 (temp. Hen. VIII.) a statute was passed, the 

 title whereof is * An Act to destroy Choughs, Crows, and Books,' 

 and the preamble runs as follows : — 



" For as much as innumerable number of Rooks, Crows, and 

 Choughs do daily breede and increase throughout this realm, which rooks, 

 crows and choughs do yearly destroy, devour and consume a wonderful 

 and marvellous great quantity of corn and grain of all kinds ; that is, to 

 wit, as well in the sowing of the same grain and corn, as also at the 

 ripening and the kernelling of the same, and do make a marvellous 

 destruction and decay of the coverture of thatched houses, barns, ricks and 

 other such like, so that if the said Crows, Books and Choughs should be 

 suffered to breed and continue as they have been in certain years past 

 they will undoubtedly be the cause of a great destruction and consumption 

 of a great part of the corn and grain which hereafter shall be sown throughout 

 this realm, to the great prejudice, damage and undoing of the tillers, 

 husbanders and sowers of the earth, within the same. For remedy 

 whereof," &c. The statute enacted that every owner and occupier of land 

 " should do as much as in him lay to kill and utterly destroy all choughs, 

 rooks and crows coming, abiding, breeding or haunting on his lands on 

 pain of a grievous amerciament." 



