224 THE BIRDS OF KENT 



EAVEN. 



Corvus corax, Linnteus. S.N., i., p. 155 (1766). 

 Eaven, Boys, 1792. 



The scarcity of the Eaven in Kent is not to be 

 wondered at, considering its depredations ; all who know 

 the bird are its enemies, and its chance of escape when 

 found is very limited. During the last century it has 

 become almost extinct in the county, and must now be 

 looked upon as a rare visitor. 



In the Topography of Maidstone, 1839, it is noticed 

 that " some of this species at intervals make their appear- 

 ance at different places in this neighbourhood, as is their 

 habit elsewhere, and after a time disappear." 



Mr. J. J. Briggs, writing in August, 1<S.52, says : " This 

 bird I met with near St. Margaret's Bay, Kent, in June, 

 1852. I am told it breeds aimually on the highest parts 

 of the cliffs, generally on the same rock, but not on the 

 same ledge." 



Lord Clifton, in his notes on the birds at Cobham, 

 Kent, September 4, 1868, writes : " In the same wood 

 I heard and saw a Eaven on September 3, 1868; it 

 was the first I had seen for a long time ; one ancient pair 

 were shot on account of their annoying" the Herons so 

 much." 



The Eev. C. H. Fielding, in his Hand-hook of Higham, 

 1882, says : " It used to be found in the marshes, but is 

 now probably extinct " ; and Mr. G. Dowker says; " The 

 Eaven is becoming almost as rare as the Chough in the 

 Stourmouth district." They were destroyed at Cobham 

 for attacking the Heronry. A pair were shot in Eomney 

 Marsh, near Lydd, some years ago, and are now in the 



