3 
Specimens received .- — Tlie total numl)er of rooks received was 
218; of these the gizzards of nine were empty, leaving 209 as 
tlie nuinher which were examined. 
It was requested hy the Committee tliat each correspondent 
should, as far as possible, send in five specimens each month, 
together with a form of particulars.”* i\.lthough the number 
of birds received fell much below that wliich the Committee liad 
hoped to obtain, they would like to take this opportunity of 
gratefully acknowledging the valuable assistance rendered to the 
investigation by those correspondents who have returned speci- 
mens. Tlie following is a list of the correspondents who have 
assisted : — 
Acton, T. xl., Arnold, A., Barkley, M. D., Baxter, 
Miss E. V., Burrows, C. L., Buxton, P. A., Cox, L. C., 
Dee, J., Edwards, E. L., Edwards, Col. W., Gamble, C., 
Garner, Miss E. M., Gavin, A.. G., Harris, G., Herbert, Bev., 
Horn, P., Llovd, Col. P. 0., Millington, E. X., Xii-holson, 
AV. A., Patten, Prof., Pope, J. M., Shillitoe, F., AAHoth, 
T. S., Thomber, B., Tottenham, C. AX. L., AAGlde, E., 
AVillett, AAC 
The area covered by this investigation is fairly wide and varied 
in character; birds have been received from 39 localities, but for 
convenience these have been arranged according* to the counties 
in which they occur. 
The subjoined table (No. I.) shows the counties represented 
and also the number of sx>eciniens received from each during 
every month. It will be noted that the suiij^ly of birds from the 
counfies enumerated is insufficient, in regard to total numbers 
and regularity to base a correct estimate of the rook’s economic* 
liosition thereon. For example in the county of Denbigh (whidi 
includes four localities, two near AA^^rexham and two near lilan- 
gollen) a good number have been received during* the months, 
January to June inclusive, and also August, but very few have 
been received during Sexitember and December, and none for 
July and November. The above principle aiijilies of course to 
the other counties and is in manj" cases much more pronounced. 
In some instances only one, two, or three birds have been received 
from one county during the whole year. Further, very manv 
fruit-growing and agricultural localities are not reiiresented at 
all. It is hoped, however, that by the publication of this rejjort 
the deficiencies will be readily seen and an attenijit made to 
supply, in the future, material from the districts and at the times 
of year when it is most needed. 
Table No. I. shows the number of birds obtained from each 
county during each month, together with the totals. The birds 
with empty gizzards- (nine) have not been included. A total of 
Ih appears for February compared with 16 in Table II., the 
reason for the discrejiancy being that one sj^ecimen arrived with- 
out any particulars as to locality. 
It has not been possible to publish a complete and detailed 
tabulation of the gizzard contents in the present account. This 
* This form is filled in by the correspondent and contains all the particulars 
of the conditions under which the bird was shot. 
(119—9.) Wt. 32703— 43. 500. 5/14, D & S. Q. 3. 
