1891. Scotland.
Sept. 12
(No 3)
Larbert, Sterlingshire. - I was waked about sunrise
this morning by the cawing of the Rooks who
seemed to be holding a great caucus not far off.
They would chuckle, croak and talk to one another
for awhile then there would be a great outcry
of cawing doubtless marking the simultaneous flight
of the whole flock for the sounds would next
come from a different quarter. Most of the Rook's
notes are hoarser and flatter than our Crow's but
nevertheless they remind me more of the latter's 
than do the croaking, Raven-like calls of the
Carrion Crow.
  The Robins saturated the coming day with a
grand chorus and they had not wholly ceased
singing when I came down toe breakfast at
9 o'clock. At this hour as well as when first 
awake I heard, every few minutes, a distant
bird call which almost exactly resembled
that of our Blue Jay. It gave me a thrill
of delight more than once when I heard it 
coming from a wooded hillside, just such 
a place as would be sure to harbor Blue Jays
in our country. I described this cry to my host
who assured me that is made by a Starling.
If he is right I cannot understand why I
have not heard it before. The only sound I
have hitherto heard from the Starling is a note
of two syllables high-pitched and metallic
like clashing steel and very similar to the 
cry of our King bird.
  Besides these notes I heard nothing but the cooing
of a wood Pigeon & the crowing of Cocks.