BIKDS. 



153 



and he does so at some length, on the authority of "a writer in the 

 Field Naturalist " in Forfarshire, and quotes a similar occurrence in 

 the west at Arrochar (Clyde). 



In 1847 we were, as stated distinctly, told of their apparent 

 scarcity north of the Eastern Grampians, and it would almost seem 

 that they were longer of advancing across these higher ranges than 

 they were of dodging round by the western avenues of advance. 



At Ballinlick on Tay, a comparatively restricted area, 81 were 

 accounted for in the ten years between 1893 and 1903, and in this 

 list, as indeed in most vermin lists, both forms are included 

 under one heading. Between 1891 and 1901, on the Breadalbane 

 territories of Tay, 4459 were accounted for. This shows a very 

 steady crop annually. The fewest were got in 1 900, but showed a 

 tale of 332. 



In Atholl 4009 were killed between 1894 and 1903-4. The most 

 in 1896-7, when 468 were got; next 450 in 1897-8; and 446 in 

 1894-5. The smallest numbers were got in 1899-1900, when 337 

 were destroyed; then 342 in 1903-4; 365 in 1902-3; and 377 in 

 1898-9. 



Corvus frugilegus, L. Rook. 



Old Gaelic name, Creumhach rocus (old Statistical Account, vol. xvii. 

 p. 348). 



Resident. Abundant. Breeds. Increasing and spreading all 

 over. Gregarious. 



The old Statistical Account does not make it always quite clear 

 that "Crows" are "Rooks," but it testifies to the good that the 

 Rook was credited with doing in those days. They fed largely upon 

 "Cob- worms" (Tipulce) in the newly-sown fields of oats. This was 

 proved by dissections, " and not one grain of oats was found " (old 

 Statistical Account, vol. v. p. 560). There is a terrible difference 

 between the education of the Rooks of 1790, say, and A.D. 1900 ! 



An old Act in the first Parliament of King James i. re "biggin 

 of ruikis in trees" was "ordained." Item: "For thy that men con- 

 sidderis that ruikis biggand in kirks, zairds, orchards, or trees, does 

 grate skaith upon cornes ; it is ordained, that they that sik trees 

 pertainis to lette them big, and suffer in na wise that their birdes 

 flie away. And w^here (quhair) it be tainted that they big and the 

 birdes be flowin, and the nest be founden, the trees sal be fairfauted 

 to the King (bot gif they be redeemed fra him throw them that they 

 first perteined to) and heavin down, and five schillings to the Kingis 



