PETWORTH RAVENS. 149 



been attributable to the gradual disappearance 

 from our great woods of most of the tall old trees 

 on which he loved to build, and perhaps to the 

 absence of that superstitious veneration with 

 which this bird is still regarded in some districts 

 of England; but more especially to the hostility 

 of the gamekeeper, in whose black book he once 

 occupied a prominent place. 



During ten months out of the twelve a pair of 

 ravens may now be found in Petworth Park : per- 

 chance, if the sky be clear, you may perceive them 

 soaring aloft, at such a height as would almost 

 ensure their escape from observation, were it not 

 for their joyous and exulting barks, which, in 

 spite of the distance, fall distinctly on the ear; or 

 if the weather be wet and gloomy, they may be 

 discovered perched on the summit of one of the 

 huge hollow oaks in the flat of the park, the 

 crooked and withered branch on which they sit 

 projecting like the horn of some gigantic stag 

 from the dense foliage; or perhaps you may find 

 them concealed in their snug retreat among the 

 evergreen boughs of a clump of Scotch firs near 

 the tower hill,* their favourite haunt during the 

 last five years, and where they now appear to be 

 permanently established. 



* From the summit of the tower there is one of the 

 finest panoramic views in the county. 



