Humane Society.
A large colony of rooks had resided many years in a grove on the banks of
a river. One serene evening the idle members amused themselves with
chasing each other through endless mazes, and in their flight they made
the air sound with an infinitude of discordant noises. In the midst of
these playful exertions it unfortunately happened that one rook, by a
sudden turn, struck his beak against the wing of another. The sufferer
instantly fell into the river. A general cry of distress ensued. The birds
hovered with every expression of anxiety over their distressed companion.
Animated by their sympathy, and perhaps by the language of counsel known
to themselves, he sprang into the air, and by one strong effort reached
the point of a rock that projected into the river. The joy became loud and
universal; but, alas! it was soon changed into notes of lamentation, for
the poor wounded bird, in attempting to fly towards his nest, dropped
again into the river and was drowned, amid the moans of his whole
fraternity.
[Illustration]