CROWS. 
133 
cock, and acted only on the defensive until it could 
manage to lay hold of the cock’s head, which was in 
an instant crushed in its powerful beak, its antagonist 
falling lifeless on the ground. 
The Kook {Qorvus frugilegus) is spread over the 
greater portion of Europe, wherever suitable districts 
invite its colonization. AYooded and cultivated tracts 
of country are its favourite haunts, and it is specially 
abundant in our sea-girt island. It is singularly gre- 
garious in its habits, large flocks being constantly 
seen dispersing themselves over pastures and corn- 
* fields in search of their peculiar food. Where the 
plough turns up the underlying soil, or the harrow 
tears open the unbroken clods, there they are seen 
picking up the grubs, the larva3 of the chaffer-beetle 
(Melolantha vulgaris) and of the TIarry-long-legs 
(Tipula oleracea), both very destructive to the roots 
of grain and clover. In this respect they render to 
the farmer great service, far outweighing the mischief 
they may do in fields where the young wheat just s]#ows 
itself above the ground, or by picking up the recently 
planted “sets” of potatoes, to the injury of the crop. 
Indeed, the name of Corn-eater or Corn-gatherer (fru- 
gilegus) is inappropriately given to the Book, for IMr. 
Selby affirms that in all places where Books have been 
exterminated, there very great injury has resulted to 
corn and other crops, from the devastation made by 
the grub and caterpillar being unchecked. Sometimes, 
undoubtedly, the Book does much damage in gardens, 
from its fondness for pears and cherries when ripe, 
stripping the trees entirely ; also from its partiality for 
walnuts. But carefid watching at the proper time 
