Young- Rooks that escape 221 



The trick, it is believed, has often been played, for the 

 mere pleasure of spiting the owner, the very night pre- 

 vious to the rook-shooting party being chosen. These 

 robberies of young rooks are much less frequent than they 

 used to be. One reason why those who possess any pro- 

 perty in the country do not like to see a labouring man 

 with a gun is because he will shoot an old rook (and 

 often eat it), if he gets the opportunity, without reference 

 to times or seasons, whether they are building or not. 



The young rooks that escape being shot seem to be 

 fed, or partly fed, by the old birds for some time after they 

 can fly well and follow their parents. It is easy to know 

 when there are young rooks in a flock feeding in a field. 

 At the first glance the rooks look scattered about, without 

 any order, each independent of the other. But in a few 

 minutes it will be noticed that here and there are groups 

 of three, which keep close together. These are formed of 

 the parents and the young bird — apparently as big and as 

 black as themselves — which they feed now and then. The 

 young bird, by attending to their motions, learns where to 

 find the best food. As late as July trios like this may 

 sometimes be seen. 



Besides the young birds that have the good fortune to 

 pass unscathed through the dangers of rook-shooting day, 

 and escape being knocked over afterwards, some few get off 

 on account of having been born earlier than the majority, 

 thus possessing a stronger power of flight. Some nests are 

 known to be more forward than the others ; but although 

 the young birds may be on the point of departing, they 

 are not killed because the noise of the firing would disturb 

 the whole settlement. So that it becomes the rook's 

 interest to incubate a little in advance of the rest. 



After a few months they are put into another terrible 



