ROOK. 
243 
little watching would prevent or lighten them, 
for neither the grain nor the root is sought after 
when vegetation has somewhat advanced, and we 
consider the destruction of slugs, and the grubs, 
or larvae of the insects, which feed on the roots 
of the various grains and grasses, and there- 
fore affect our crops and pastures, as at least 
compensating for their destruction or injury to 
the produce of the fields. In a few districts 
orders for extirpation have been issued. These, 
in some instances, have not been followed out, 
in others their execution has been regretted, but 
even the addition of the destruction made among 
the young when they have, left the nest, and are 
termed “ branchers,” as a matter of sport to some, 
and as articles of food to others, have been insuffi- 
cient to check their numbers, for on the whole 
the species seems to have rather increased, and 
we know of the growth of several new rookeries 
without a corresponding falling off of those near 
them. Except such as are of modern date, the 
age of the establishments seems nearly coeval 
with that of the trees on which they rest, and it 
is very seldom, indeed, that we learn of a com- 
plete extirpation. Villages and towns have, in 
many instances, arisen around their colonies, but the 
inhabitants will only quit their venerable resting 
place on the removal of the trees themselves, and 
if left thus unmolested, will continue to assemble 
at their stated times, and perform their allotted 
duties, seemingly unconscious of the most crowded 
and noisy thoroughfares. Both Edinburgh and 
