HOOK. 
3 
reduced to a consistency somewhat resembling potted beef or ham. It certainly was not scarcity of food 
that caused such an apparently unpalatable mouthful to be collected, as on examining the field from which 
the bird had risen when shot, I discovered several lively worms still struggling in a furrow in which they 
had recently been disturbed by the plough. With but few exceptions, the large number of llooks and Jackdaws 
frequenting the ground were then engaged in searching over a portion of the land which, being newly sown 
with tares, had undergone both harrowing and rolling. It is probable that the dead worms had been collected 
in this part; after having been cut and disabled by the number of teams passing over the ground the 
heat of the sun would soon dry them. I could find no signs that the tares had suffered in the slightest 
degree. 
Grubs of various kinds and many noxious insects also form a large portion of the food of this species, the 
crops necessarily being freed by their attentions from a great source of danger. In parts of the eastern 
counties I discovered that farmers brought grave charges against the Hooks for the destruction of turnips, 
one of my informants stating that to his knowledge nearly one third of a field of seven acres had been 
destroyed by these birds during a single morning. The attack is declared to be made soon after the rows are 
cleaned and thinned out, the crop being supposed to suffer most in dry weather. When, however, it is generally 
allowed that the birds only drag up the young plants in order to get at the wireworm, it is a question °whetlier 
any really healthy roots are affected by their depredations. I have often observed large parties of Hooks busily 
engaged on the South Downs tearing up the short turf, and on examining the spot have ascertained that the 
roots were loosened or removed in patches over a considerable extent of ground. Though apparently destroying 
the grass, they were simply seeking out the grubs at work below the surface and effectually ruining the pasture* 
The birds are doubtless guided in their search by the want of vigour in the herbage that is attacked by the 
insects. During the winter of 1882-83, and throughout the following spring, a few birds occasionally settled 
on a marshy spot near the sea-coast between Shoreham and Lancing, and in a most energetic manner dragged 
up large patches of long coarse grass by the roots. For several months I remarked their work on an acre* or 
two of ground, but was unable to procure a specimen so as to ascertain the peculiar grub or worm attracting 
them to this spot. The benefits conferred on agriculturists by Hooks are now generally well known, and 
there is little fear that such unfounded charges as were formerly brought against this useful species will 
again be put forward. 
I find the following in my notes, under date May G, 1871 “ Wind south-west, weather line and still : 
numbers of Kooks tumbling in the air. This performance is in some parts considered a sign of rain. 
Whether there is the slightest truth or not in this old saying, the rain certainly fell within a few hours after 
a dry period of several weeks.” 
Numbers of Hooks arrive on our eastern coast during autumn ; I have often met with large flights in 
the North Sea, evidently making their way straight for land. It was seldom that they flew in straggling parties 
alter the manner of Grey Crows ; those seen singly appeared to have fallen out of the ranks from fatigue. 
After a gale of wind from the south-west, it was no uncommon occurrence to pass several floating dead on 
the water between twenty and thirty miles from land. I also received a few wings from the light-ships off the 
east coast during the winter months, the birds having fallen disabled on deck after striking the lamps. 
Having failed to observe them on their return journey in the spring, or obtained any wings from the light- 
ships at that period, I am ignorant whether they take up their residence in this country, or again return to 
the north of Europe ; it is possible that a few, at least, of our visitors remain with us and assist in founding 
those new colonies from time to time recorded. 
In the opinion of certain authors a partial migration of our native birds takes place towards the south 
on the approach of winter. If such is the case, the number of those that leave our shores must, I imagine, 
be small and composed for the most part of the migrants from across the North Sea or of young birds of the 
