202 CORV1D.E. 



it up, the whole flock suddenly descended, and attacked 

 and mobbed the man with so much fury that he was obliged 

 to defend himself with the barrel of his gun. For some 

 moments we could not help enjoying the sight, but at 

 length felt obliged to go to his rescue, when the Rooks find- 

 ing two enemies to contend with, gave up the contest and 

 flew off. 



If by chance wounded in the wing, a Rook will en- 

 deavour to escape by running and hopping with such 

 celerity that it is no easy matter to overtake him. 



In meadows partly overflowed by winter floods we have 

 been amused at observing the Rooks wading knee-deep in 

 the water in search of worms, and carefully holding their 

 wings aloft that the water might not reach them, and so 

 obstruct their powers of flight. While feeding on the 

 ground in flocks Rooks are always observed to place sentinels 

 on several neighbouring trees, who give the alarm of any 

 approaching danger, on which the whole body rise, 

 wheel, and circle, and if necessary seek their safety in 

 flight. 



The nests of this species are placed usually very near 

 the tops of the trees, and are composed of a vast quantity 

 of materials ; they remain from year to year, requiring 

 only some repairs in the spring before they are taken pos- 

 session of by their former inhabitants. We are inclined 

 to think that the same pair of Rooks usually return 

 to the nest formerly built by themselves ; and that 

 the frequent squabbles and battles that occur in the 

 building season may be in order to obtain severally at 

 last the quiet possession of their respective and hereditary 

 rights. 



" Rooks are sometimes known," says Mr. Briggs in a note 

 in the Zoologist, "to desert their nesting-trees without any 

 visible cause, after having occupied them for a very consider- 



