The rook is a much persecuted and maligned bird. 
Although lie is partial to spring corn, and may do 
damage to root crops, he devours an endless number 
of grubs and underground pests of various sorts, and 
is by no means so black a character as he is painted. 
catcher, wagtails, chats, pipits, hedge-sparrow, nightingale, chiff- 
chaff, and whitethroat and other warblers, peewit, missel-thrush, 
redstart, and goldfinch. 
Not even these, however, escape calumny. A proposal has been 
seriously made to destroy swallows because the countless flies they 
devour include the mayfly beloved of anglers ! 
Other species undoubtedly take toll in return for their work. 
They are content with payment in kind during the short harvest 
season, and for the rest of the year keep themselves, and accomplish 
