-J^> 



IVild Life in a Southern County 



the torn sails of some of the old windmills which have 

 become dark in colour from long exposure to the weather, 

 and have been rent by the storms of years. Rooks can fly 

 with gaps of astonishing size in their wings, and do not 

 seem much incommoded by the loss — caused, doubtless, by 

 a charge of shot in the rook-shooting, or by the small 

 sharp splinters of flint with which the birdkeepers 

 sometimes load their guns, not being allowed to use 

 shot. 



Near their nesting-trees their black feathers may be 

 picked up by dozens in the grass ; they beat them out 

 occasionally against the small boughs, and sometimes in 

 fighting. If seen from behind, the wings of the rook, as 

 he spreads them and glides, slowly descending, preparatory 

 to alighting, slightly turn up at the edges like the rim 

 of a hat, but much less curved. From a distance as he 

 flies he appears to preserve a level course, neither rising nor 

 falling ; but if observed nearer it will be seen that with 

 every stroke of the wings the body is lifted some inches, 

 and sinks as much immediately afterwards. 



As the black multitude floats past overhead with 

 deliberate, easy flight, their trumpeters and buglemen, the 

 jackdaws — two or three to every company — utter their 

 curious chuckle ; for the jackdaw is a bird which could not 

 keep silence to save his life, but must talk after his fashion, 

 while his grave, solemn companions move slowly onwards, 

 rarely deigning to ' caw ' him a reply. But away yonder 

 at the wood, above the great beech trees, where so vast a 

 congregation is gathered together, there is a mighty uproar 

 and commotion: a seething and bubbling of the crowds, now 

 settling on the branches, now rising in sable clouds, each 

 calling to the other with all his might, the whole popula- 

 tion delivering its opinions iit once. 



