I have blogged before about my bizarre affection for that much-maligned bird, the crow. I can now report, first hand, that it is not reciprocated – at least not by the rook whose life I’ve just saved. So pleased was he with my rescue mission, that he decided to bite my finger. It hurt.The Grey Mare is in the habit of stopping for a drink from the trough in the field next to hers when she’s on her way home after we’ve been out. Tonight, I noticed some black tail feathers sticking out from under the sloped housing that covers the ballcock and separates the two parts of the trough. Thinking it was a dead bird, I pulled the feathers to remove it. However, it was far from dead: it was trapped.
I attempted to free it, but received a bitten finger for my pains. The bird was very resistant to rescue. If I had continued to struggle and it had come out in a flap of wings, the Grey Mare would have had a fit of myriad hues that would have made Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat pale into insignificance and probably put her off troughs for life.
Grey Mare safely back in her own field, I returned with a stick and was able to prise the rook out of his watery trap. He was so drenched, I could see the pink of his skin under his sodden feathers. He shook himself like a Labrador, cawed once, took a few tottering steps, and realising he was back on dry land, strutted off arrogantly. I’m sure if he could speak, he would’ve said: “Am I bovvered?"
23 comments:
Love the Bird Picture, I have Taken one that I like of the Mississippi Sandhill Crane, It's Endangered so I guess this is a pretty rare picture.
Sandhill Crane
The universe likes to reward good deeds- would you care to swap your sodden rook for a horse box?? Maybe we could all do some cosmic blogasmic swapping. Anyone got a used transvestite that they want to swap for a rover 200 (r reg)?
Maybe the rook had cosmically ordered a bird bath, and got a bit more than he expected.
.....That will be the same bird that 'poops' on you from a great height. Gratitude can be shown in all sorts of curious ways!
time2use, unfortunately I can't claim to have taken the photo..
Gill, that sounds like a good swap. Not so sure about yours! :)
Drunk Mummy, I think he'd just gone for a wee drinkie, toppled in and somehow was sucked underneath. If he'd cosmically ordered a bath the universe was having a good laugh at his expense ..
Mountainear, that is so true. they say it's lucky but it has never been in my experience (happened to me once).
Apparently rook pie is something of a delicacy. With or without the addition of fingers. Are you any good with the pastry making?
eminem-after thinking it over I realise you are probably right about my swap, you can't fit all your grocery shopping into a transvestite.
I bet after being trapped in there he was absolutely ravin' M&M
There's just no pleasing some things is there? Save the bird's life and he leaves without a backward glance.
Maybe that will be the reaction when you get your blogasmic wish granted for world peace - everyone will look bemused and shrug, 'so? what do we do now?'
Just decided to visit your blog, having read your comments on Gill's blog. Now this is weird, because I'd just that minute posted up an article about a bird on my own blog. Only my bird died - as you will see if you pay a visit!
Gordon Ramsay made something with rook last week on F Word.
Crows were my totem animal for a while as they turned up everywhere I went, watching over me. I must have needed crow magic at the time. If only I needed cat magic and I was followed around pied piper style!
Thanks for jogging my memory. I had a crow as a temporary pet for several months as a child, it was sweet though, no biting or pecking. It used to fly up to the studio in our attic, perch on the window sill and peck at the window to be let in. I cried when it decided to leave for good.
I'm afraid it wouldn't have escaped quite so easily should it have been on my land! Crystal x
Ungrateful creature! Perhaps it was trying to look "hard" though in front of his bird chums and couldn't quite bring himself to thank you in case he lost face with them? That would explain the biting too...."yeah, I bit her on her finger..caw, caw, caw!"
No one shows any gratitude these days - next time let the b****r drown!
great story, and well told.
But what was the ballcock wishing for? You took his bird away......
Mopsa, four and 20 black birds baked in a pie, perhaps?
Gill, he might carry it for you though...
Boom, boom Rilly!
Ah Debio, it would be nice to find out!
Hello and welcome Ruth. I will come and have a look ..
Karen, I spit on Gordon Ramsey. He cooked horse a few weeks ago. Actually, I wouldn't spit on him - and I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire. he is beyond the plae.
Hello and welcome DJ, apparently they are very tame if they are hand reared...
Ah CJ, you farming folk!
NMO, I think you might be right actually...
@themill, I couldn't fo that. I'd feel ever so guilty!
Thankyou Lady M. Hope your migraine is better..
OM, I'm reading doubles entendres where I believe they are meant ...
Should you have some sort of tetanus jab after being bitten by a rook? My theory is that the rook was sent by cosmicorderdirect to test your credentials and to see if you are truly worthy of that for which you have wished.
I think you have passed the first test with a clear round.
It thought it could out-run you? Now that is arrrogant!
eminem, word on the street is that there will soon be a column free in the Saturday Guardian - watch this space.
Pig, it was a bite not a peck and didn't break the skin...
SAHD, I don't do running if I can help it...
Anon, do not tantalise me with things that will never be mine ...
Rooks, ravens... portents.
Do be careful m&m.
Lizzie x
Post a Comment