The Rookeries of the Oxford District: A Preliminary Report

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Abstract
During 1928 a count was made of the rook (Corvus f. jrugilegus) nests in the Oxford Dist., covering 224 sq. miles. In this area 6733 nests were located, 5 of which were single isolated nests and the others in rookeries ranging in size from 2 to 683 nests. For the entire area there was one nest to each 21.29 acres. Ninety % of the nests were in English elms; other favored trees in order were: Scotch pine, oak, beech, and horse-chestnut. On an average rookeries contained 4.08 nests per tree. The rook shows no observable preference for early-leafing trees. Food supply is the main limiting factor in determining the local distribution of the rook. Shooting is the most effective check on an increase in rook population, and this reduces the average brood reared by one. Sixteen out of 19 rooks examined were infested with the gapeworm (Syngamus trachealis). The status of Coloeus monedula spermologus, Corvus c. corone, and Vanellus vanellus as competitive species is discussed. Damage by rooks to cereal crops is negligible here. A comprehensive study of the rooks of this area, extended over a period of years, would yield results important to economic ornithology. Recommendations are made as to how this investigation should be conducted. A map shows the location and relative size of the rookeries.

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