2 
ROOK. 
young one was then removed to a safer spot, and the dead bodies thrown out. The Rooks, however, were not 
to he balked of their prey, as they shortly returned and were distinctly seen to carry off the headless carcasses 
from the ditch into which they had been flung. 
At all seasons of the year Rooks may he met with along the sea-shore ; in some districts they resort 
regularly to the mudflats at low water, in quest of marine worms, diminutive crabs, shrimps, or any small fish. 
On Breyden mudflats I repeatedly watched large bodies collecting all through the summer, and on the Sussex 
shingle-banks small parties arc constantly to be seen. They arc especially busy in the latter locality during 
the mackerel season, large quantities of fish being captured by means of seines shot by boats and then drawn 
ashore. After a haul, numbers of small fish and shrimps are scattered about on the shingle, mixed up in the 
weeds dragged in by the net. For these the Rooks keep a sharp look out, eagerly darting down and claiming 
their share as soon as the men have left in search of a fresh shoal. Though intent at the time on sea fish, 
these cunning birds are by no means so unobservant as to let a chance of a good substantial meal escape them. 
'W hile on the beach between Shoreham and Lancing on June 30, 1880, I remarked from twenty to thirty 
Rooks closely searching over the heaps of refuse lying on the shingle. The men who effected the capture had 
withdrawn some distance to the top of the ridge of beach, and having sent for a liberal supply of bread and 
cheese, proceeded to enjoy their well-earned repast. A commencement had scarcely been made when another 
shoal of fish broke up on the surface, within a few hundred yards. As there appeared a good chance, the food 
was at once relinquished, and the crew started in pursuit of the mackerel. On returning an hour later, it was 
evident that the Rooks, who had been observed on the spot, had discovered and cleared off the whole of the 
bread and cheese, a few crumbs being all that remained. 
In severe winters, when the ground is covered deep with snow, or hard with frost, these birds are frequently 
put to cruel straits to procure food. At such times they will attack any weakly bird, or one that is partly 
disabled by wounds. I have also seen them rising from dead and decomposing carcasses, and large flocks, 
considerably in excess of those usually observed, betake themselves to the sea-shore, where a scanty living on 
shellfish and other offal is picked up. When scraps and crumbs have been thrown out to the starving swarms 
of diminutive feathered pensioners that congregate below the windows during protracted storms, I have 
frequently noticed the Rooks so emboldened by want, that they would dash down at once and carry off all the 
smaller portions; and it was only by providing a quantity of pieces too heavy for them to lift, that those for 
whom the feast was intended could enjoy their share. 
I had previously been of opinion that flesh was only consumed by this species when their regular food 
was scarce, either in the depth of winter or during the prevalence of dry winds. A couple of Rooks, 
however, attracted my attention while driving between Brighton and Shoreham, on March 20, 1882, the 
weather at the time being exceedingly mild. The birds were busily engaged with some object by the side 
of a heap of mould, within a short distance of the roadside; and on proceeding to the spot and investigating 
the nature of their prey, I discovered that they were tearing the meat from some bones, dragged from under the 
covering of the soil. Their repulsive banquet (suspicious certainly, but possibly the remains of some ewe that 
had died) appeared particularly suited to their tastes, as they refused to move above twenty yards on my 
approach, and returned immediately and commenced again as soon as my back was turned. 
It is probable that Rooks occasionally convey a supply of dry materials to their young, in order to assist 
digestion. On May 17, 1882, I carefully examined an old bird, shot on purpose to ascertain the food it was 
carry in o', and discovered it had six small land-snails, each about the size of a sixpenny piece, as well a mouth, 
or rather, a pouch, full of dead and perfectly dried worms. The snail-sliclls were all untenanted and empty, with 
the exception of one, which was full of mould, while the dead worms were so brittle that they had broken up 
into scraps of about an inch in length. The entire mouthful contained but little of a nourishing character, 
with the exception of the lower portion of the supply of worms, which the moisture in the bird’s throat had 
