THE RAVEN 115 



the ocean cliffs or the inland precipices, where he builds his 

 bulky nest on the ledges and can keep a good look-out for 

 enemies or food. He loves to frequent the large Highland 

 sheep farms, where he beats about and prys into every hole 

 and corner in search of a meal. Should a lamb fall sick, or a 

 sheep in browsing too near the edge of the cliff lose its 

 footing and be dashed to pieces on the rocks below, the 

 Eaven is perhaps the first bird to discover the prize — the 

 first either on the one hand to go and torture the poor 

 creature until death mercifully relieves its sufferings, or on the 

 other to speed in gluttonous haste and tear out the favourite 

 morsels from the still warm and mangled carcass. He is 

 everywhere. Nothing escapes his prying vision. Carrion 

 abounds on the hillsides and on the shore ; and he spends 

 most of his time in finding it. But he is the essence of 

 wariness, and long before he will venture near a dead animal 

 he flies over and over it, backwards and forwards, as if fearful 

 of an ambuscade. He beats slowly along shore a few yards 

 above the waves, searching every creek and bay for food ; 

 whilst in the lambinsf season he lives on the hills, and the 

 shepherds have to be ever on the alert to protect their helpless 

 charges from this sable thief. He is one of the first birds astir 

 in the morning, and one of the last to retire to roost at night. 

 The Eaven can scarcely be called a gregarious bird, 

 although it may be seen in little parties at all times of the 

 year. It only keeps company with its kindred when feeding 

 — many birds being drawn to one central point by a decaying 

 carcass; but the gathering usually breaks up as soon as 

 hunger is appeased. The flight of the Eaven is powerful, and 

 performed with regular beats of the wings. The bird looks very 

 much like a giant Eook when in the air, and often indulges 

 in various aerial movements, two birds sometimes toying with 

 or buffeting each other as they fly along. The Eaven is a 

 resident in this country ; consequently he has to vary his diet 



