PLATE CCIX. 



Among the more injurious kinds of larvae, which harbour in fuch 

 fituations, we may mention thofe of the beetle kind, particularly the 

 chafers, and moft efpecially, as being more numerous and hurtful, 

 the larvae of the Melolontha vulgaris : thefe are in particular their 

 favourite food. 



In England the Rook remains throughout the whole year. In the 

 more fouthern parts of Europe they are migratory. They afibciate 

 together in immense flocks, and ufually build upon the tops of high 

 trees: their breeding places are denominated rookeries; there they 

 congregate, and fit chattering, the males in turn relieving the females 

 in feeding and guarding their young. They begin to build in March. 

 After their breeding feafon they forfake the rookeries, and rooft elfe- 

 where, but return to the rookeries again in Auguft, and after a while 

 repair their nefts preparatory to the winter feafon. 



A rook-pie is a favourite ruftic dim : it is only the young Rooks 

 that are employed for this purpofe, and thefe are better ftripped of 

 their Ikins previoufly to being put into the pie. 



The Rook is a general inhabitant of Europe, and the weftern 

 parts of Siberia. 



The plumage of the Rook appears particularly fplendid in the 

 funfhine ; efpecially the head and neck, and alfo the upper part of the 

 breaft and wings, which, in a ftrong light, are finely gloffed with blue 

 and rich purple. 



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