20 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



head. When it speaks, which it frequently does, its deep croak 

 is sufficient for identification. Variously written as " pruk," 

 "cruck," "whow " and "glog,'' this short, deep bark is different 

 from any other corvine utterance. When standing on some 

 rocky eminence the whole body lunges forward with each call, 

 and the pointed feathers on the throat stand out like a ragged 

 beard. Often the bird soars and wheels at a great height, its 

 wings motionless, its flight feathers extended like fingers. It is 

 revelling in air mastery, not seeking its prey. The food of the 

 Raven, like that of all crows, is varied ; it kills small birds and 

 mammals, especially rats and young rabbits ; the weakly lamb 

 or disabled sheep is at its mercy, but its favourite food is 

 carrion. Round a large carcase many will gather, driving away 

 gulls or other would-be diners. With powerful hooked bill it 

 pierces the hides and tears the flesh. A carcase is at first 

 approached with caution, in sidling jumps with wings half open. 



The nest, a massive structure of sticks, heather stems and 

 roots, is built upon a ledge on some rocky outcrop or precipitous 

 cliff-face, and withstands most winter storms. The cup is 

 lined with soft substances — wool, rabbit fur, grass or bracken. 

 Formerly, when the bird was less persecuted, inland and low- 

 land haunts were inhabited, and the nest was usually built in 

 some tall and ancient tree ; " Raven trees " exist in many places 

 whence the bird has vanished. Bosworth-Smith, who as a boy 

 in 1855 climbed one of these trees in Dorset, found as part of 

 the lining "a large portion of a woman's dress." The eggs, 

 which are laid in February or March, are from three to seven in 

 number, and are bluish-green, blotched or streaked with brown 

 and black (Plate 12). 



The Raven's nuptial display is little known, although one 

 trick, that of rolling in flight, is familiar. Macgillivray and 

 Saunders refer to its somersaults, and when descending from a 

 height it will " shoot " like a Rook with half-closed wings, turn- 

 ing and twisting with great rapidity. The roll is a corkscrew 



