37 
large colony of Rooks had subsisted many 
years in a grove on the banks of the river 
Irvvell, near Manchester. One serene 
evening I placed myself within the view 
of it, and marked with attention the 
various labours, pastimes, and evolutions 
of this crowded society. The idle mem- 
bers amused themselves with chasing each 
other through endless mazes; and in their 
flight, they made the air resound with an 
infinitude of discordant noises. In the 
midst of these playful exertions it unfor- 
tunately happened that one Rook, by a 
sudden turn, struck his beak against the 
wing of another, the sufferer instantly fell 
into the river. A general cry of distress 
ensued. The birds hovered with every 
expression of anxiety over their distressed 
companion. Animated by their sympathy, 
and, perhaps, by the language of counsel 
known to themselves, he sprang into the 
air, and, by one strong effort, reached the 
point of a rock which projected into the 
water. The joy became loud and uni- 
versal; but, alas! it was soon changed into 
notes of lamentation; for the poor wounded 
