SOC ee UCB ONES Ui Be EEN 17 
us’d to be frequented by great Numbers of Sparrows (by some evil disposed Persons 
now almost destroyed) the Trees by the middle of ‘fune were so eaten up by Cater- 
pillars, as to look in some of their Branches almost as bare as in the middle of October. 
If it be said that the Caterpillar lives on Leaves only, it is well known, that when a 
Tree is deprived of its Leaves, either by Flies, Blast, or any other Accident, the Fruit 
never comes to Perfection: And if these and other Vermin were not destroyed by the 
Birds, they would eat up the Fruit too, and not finding sufficient, would descend from 
the Trees, and devour every green Thing. 
The Rook is a most admirable Pattern of Vigilance and Society, different 
from most other birds; they breed near one another, and keep so strict a Look out in 
the Night, that neither Cat, Dog, or Fox, can pass by them unobserved: They have 
extraordinary Centinels at every Avenue to the Rookery, who give Notice of every 
thing that approaches, at first by a gentle Call, as if half asleep, but when Noise or 
Danger draws nearer, they call louder and louder and then are answered by the 
Centinel on every Tree, so that the Alarm quickly spreads. 
In every Rookery that has come under my Observation, I have taken Notice 
of one Rook much hoarser than the rest, and him I take to be no small Officer among 
them; his nest is generally near the Centre of the Rookery, upon his taking Wing 
they all do the like; and when they seem to be in a sort of Combu stion, upon his sound. 
ing some particular Notes, they all become silent and quiet; they feed upon Worms, 
and,as I hear Grashoppers too, which, if true, must needs ballance all the purine 
veniences objected against them. 
Nature has made nothing in vain; and Birds are not only delightful, but 
also useful and necessary to us, insomuch, that I could wish a Law for their Pres- 
ervation; and that from the first of March to the first of September, it were made 
criminal to kill, catch, or destroy them, their Nests, Eggs, or Young ones: By this 
Means the Game will also be preserved, for when Boys, or other idle Persons are out 
seeking of Birds-Nests, they destroy all that come to Hand, and consequently Abun- 
dance of the Game likewise. 
If what is contain’d in this letter tends any ways towards an Advantage 
to Husbandry or Gardening, you are desir’d to make what Use of it you think fit, by 
Sir, Your most humble Servant 
ip EIT EE Ae Ge 

Photograph by Belle Wilson 
