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The Rook, Cornix frugilego. 



Numb. XXII. 



IT S Weight was one Pound and three Ounces ; Length from the Tip of tht Bill 

 to the End of the Tail was twenty Inches ; the Diftance between the Wings 

 when extended thirty eight Inches} it hath no Craw, but inftead thereof the 

 Gullet below the Bill is dilated into a kind of Bag, wherein it brings Meat to feed its 

 Young. 



In the old ones of this Sort the leathers about the Root of the Bill as far as the 

 Eyes are worn off, by often thrufl:ing the Bill into the Ground, to fetch out Wo ms 

 and other Infeds j fo that the Fiefh thereabouts is bare, and appears of a whitiih Co- 

 lour, by which Note it is to be diftinguifhed from the common Crow. 



It differs alfo from the Crows, fecondly, in that it is fomewhat bigger ; thirdly,' 

 in the purple Splendour or Glofs of its Feathers . Fourthly, In that it is gregarious, 

 both flying and breeding in Companies. 



The Number of beam Feathers in each Wing is twenty, of which the fourth is 

 the longeft, being by Mcafurc ten Inches and a quarter ; the Shafts of the middle 

 Wing-Feathers end in Briftles or Spines ; the Tail is feven Inches and a half long, 

 made up of twelve Feathers j the exteriour whereof are a little fhorter than the mid- 

 dle ones. 



The Bill, from the Tip to the Angles of the Mouth, is two Inches and a half 

 long; the Noftrils rounds the Tongue black, horny, and cloven at the Endj the 

 hind Toe hath a large ftrong Clawj the outmoft fore Toe is joined to the middle- 

 moft, as in the Crow. 



It hath a large Gallj Ihort blind Guts like the Crow of about half an Inch long^ 

 the Stomach is great and mufculous, as in granivorous Birds ^ the Guts wide and va- 

 rioufly reflefted. They are moft greedy of Corn; yet feed alfo on .'Earth -TVormSy 

 and other Infeds, refraining from Garbage and Carrion: They build many together 

 upon high Trees about Gentlemen's Houfes, w^ho are much delighted with the Noife 

 they make in breeding Time : Both Cock and Hen fit by turns ; their Eggs are like 

 the Crows, but leffer, fpotted with greater Spots, efpecially about the blunt End. 



When the Rooks build, one of the Pair fits always by to watch the Neft till it is fi- 

 nifhed, whilft the other goes about to fetch Materials, elfe if both go and leave the Neft 

 unfiniflied (as fometimes they venture to do) their Fellow-Rooks , 'ere they return 

 again, will have robbed and carried to their feveral Nefts all their Sticks, and what- 

 ever elfe they had got together. Hence perhaps, the Word Rooking, with us, is 

 afed for cheating or abufing. 



Thefe Birds are noifome to the Corn and Grain, fo that the Husbandmen are forced 

 to employ Children with Hooting, Crackers, and Rattles of Metal, and finally with 

 throwing of Stones to fcare them away ; fuch as have no Servants or Children to 

 fpare for fuch a Purpofe, make ufe of other Devices ; either of Mills made with Sails 

 to be turned with the Wind, making a continual Snapping as they turn, where- 

 with they fright the Birds, or by placing Scare-Crows in the Fields dreHed in 

 country Habits. 



G The 



