90 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [ur.

 

mantle. The ground was covered with a thin coating
of snow, which had fallen during the night, and which
now crackled beneath the feet of the walkers with the
crispness of the frost. The sun was bright, and the
frost melted wherever his rays came full upon it, but
the air was cold, and apparently we were likely to
have a continuance of hard weather. I had been
musing over the various changes of temperature which
we rooks boldly encounter with precisely the same
clothing, whilst men and women, poor things, change
their garments according to the seasons, which to my
mind affords another evidence of their inferiority to
our noble race.

Whilst thinking over this, it came into my head
that there was one thing common to us all, namely,
hunger, and that this same feeling was gradually
stealing over me to such a degree as to make break-
fast a most desirable event in anticipation. With this
thought came another which somewhat troubled me.
Where and how should I find my breakfast on this
particular morning? The fields were hard with frost ;
no farm-yard was close at hand, and I hardly Rtew
where to look for food. Fortunately I recollected
that in flying over a neighbouring wood the day
before, I had observed a number of pheasants eagerly
feeding in a certain track which I knew I could easily
find again. I argued with myself that what a phea-
sant could eat would be equally wholesome for a
rook, and that the best course which I could pursue
would be to proceed at once to the spot. Accordingly
I shook my wings, rose from the tree, and with a
parting caw, sailed away through the cold air, gaining
additional appetite as I flew.