The Rookeries

The Rookeries was part of the district known as the Froggery in the town centre of Birmingham. In ornithological terms a rookery is the nesting place of rooks usually in a group of tall trees. There may be dozens of untidy nests. Rookeries are distinguished at dawn and dusk by the continuous unpleasant cawing of many individuals.

The term was used colloquially in the 19th century of dilapidated tenements and slum dwellings, the haunts of thieves and crooks.