254 PROFESSOR OWEN ch. ix. 



the more experienced birds or than was fairly- 

 needful. 



' The old couple, perched near the frame- 

 work of their former nest on a higher branch, 

 instead of flying forth to collect their own lining 

 materials, awaited the return of the younger 

 pair, each with a beakful of moss or wool, which 

 they then busied themselves in properly dis- 

 posing in their unlined nest. This being done, 

 forthwith off they flew again to gather more 

 material, whereupon the stationary old rooks, who 

 had generally monopolised the topmost localities, 

 would hop down from twig to twig and, delibe- 

 rately transfer the lining material of the young 

 pair's nest to their own ; nor, until the old birds 

 had thus provided for themselves, were the young 

 couple permitted to finish theirs. 



' We sometimes fancied we saw movements 

 of the plundered ones, after fruitless flights, 

 indicative of suspicions of foul play. But, in 

 the long run, all went on well ; the coming gene- 

 ration was duly hatched out and provided for. 

 Food could not be larcenously fetched from the 

 beaks of the new-wedded one's brood so easily as 

 the wool from their nests. 



' I can well understand the condition of our 

 latitude and environment, which tempts the night- 

 ingales to our groves and gardens for their breed- 

 ing ground. 



' And here I may remark how rarely I have 



