ROOK. 199 



found in all parts of Germany or of France ; in the 

 southern parts of the latter country they abound most in 

 winter. In Belgium, says M. Deby, they are very com- 

 mon ; " some remain all the year round, but the greater 

 number are migratory. Vast flocks are seen every 

 year, during the month of October, flying in a south-westerly 

 direction." 



Having now traced the Rook from the southern parts 

 of Sweden down to the South of France, it remains to observe 

 how much farther to the south its range extends, on which 

 very little remains to be said. In the island of Corfu the 

 Rook is not a permanent resident, but only retreats thither 

 in winter, about the same time that it leaves Germany, 

 the north of France, and Belgium : "it arrives in Corfu," 

 according to Mr. Drummond, " in October, and takes its 

 departure for the north in February." In the island 

 of Crete the Rook is not found : and the same has 

 been observed of our Channel Islands, Guernsey and 

 Jersey. 



In its habits and manners the Rook differs widely from 

 those members of the Corvus family previously mentioned. 

 While the raven and crow lead, like other predatious birds, 

 a solitary and unsocial life, feared by weaker birds and 

 animals, and disliked by man, the more civilized and peace- 

 ful Rooks live in large communities, either from feelings 

 of sociability, or motives of defence : and instead of seeking 

 wild and solitary places for their residence prefer the neigh- 

 bourhood of mankind, and on many points may be con- 

 sidered as creatures little removed from domestication, so 

 intimately do they ally themselves to mankind by means of 

 services rendered and received. The sight of them is also 

 associated with the civilization of agriculture, and the 

 sound of their cheerful cawing can never be heard with 

 indifference. 



