It was easy to know when the birds had paired, as a couple of rooks could then be often seen perched gravely side by side upon an old nest in the midst of leafless boughs, deliberating about its repair.

There were some poplars near a part of the rookery, and when the nests were fully occupied with young the old birds frequently alighted on the very top of an adjacent poplar.

The slender brush-like tip of the tree bent with their weight, curving over like a whip, to spring up when they left.
The rooks were fond of maize, boldly descending among the poultry kept in a rickyard within a short distance of their trees.

If any one has a clump of trees in which rooks seem inclined to build and it is desired to encourage them, it would appear a good plan to establish a poultry-yard in the same field.

They are certain to visit the spot.
One day I watched a rook pursuing a swift and making every effort to overtake and strike it.