39 
Young Rooks when flayed and put into 
pies are said to be good eating. 
White, pied, and cream-coloured varie- 
ties sometimes occur; and a gentleman of 
our acquaintance had last year, (1816) a 
young one of a light ash-colour, most 
beautifully mottled all over with black, 
and the quill and tail feathers elegantly 
barred. This curiosity he was naturally 
anxious to keep, when behold, upon the 
bird moulting, all its mottled plumage 
vanished entirely away, it became a jet 
black Rook, and in this state was suffered 
to join his sable tribe as a fit companion in 
the fields. 
