A Cruel Bird Came to the Nest and Looked In is a novel by English author Magnus Mills published in 2011 by Bloomsbury.

The Cabinet of Greater Fallowfields comprises : all for no apparent reason named after birds.

[1] They attempt to run the affairs of state but the absence of "his exalted highness, the majestic emperor of the realms, dominions, colonies and commonwealth of Greater Fallowfields" makes any actual decision-making impossible.

While they wait for the new Emperor to return from his education, Whimbrel notices through his telescope, activity approaching from the East - a railway line is being built from the far off 'City of Scoffers'.

Its arrival brings many challenges to the fledgling administration and threatens the sovereignty of Greater Fallowfields itself...