THE ZOOLOGIST
THIRD SERIES.
Vol. II.] DECEMBER, 1878. [No. 24. |
THE ROOKS AND ROOKERIES OF LONDON.
By Alfred Newton, M.A., F.R.S.
Dr. Hamilton's account of "The Rooks and Rookeries of London" (suprà pp. 193 — 199) has lately done me so much good service that I feel bound to tender my thanks to its author. At the same time I believe that he has in a few details been led astray, and, as the subject is (or ought to be) interesting to many readers of this Magazine, it seems to me as well that these errors (as they appear to be) should be noticed. There are none, however, which are more than trivial, and I may perhaps incur the charge of being hypercritical in pointing them out, though to the Londoners of future generations, when the Rook is exterminated, every particular concerning its former abode within their precincts will doubtless be cherished. Some years ago 1 appealed to the readers of the two weekly newspapers which often contain matter of value to the naturalist for information on the subject of London Rooks. To my great disappointment little or none was supplied. It has often been remarked that Londoners take no pride in their immense town, but I had hoped that some of the many ornithologists who constantly traverse its thoroughfares might, with satisfaction, have given a few particulars of the very considerable number (allowing for circumstances) of Rookeries existing within its limits — Rookeries which have for a long time excited the attention of no ordinary men — witness Oliver Goldsmith, Horace Walpole, and Charles Lamb.
Dr. Hamilton's paper therefore afforded me great satisfaction,
as containing the results of the continuous observations of many
