248 THE RAVEN. 



time one was noticed at Siccar Point/ The last-mentioned 

 locality seems to be a favourite resort, for they were 

 observed there on the 24th January of 1880,^ and the 29th 

 of January 1882.^ The Eev. George Cook, of Longformacus, 

 writes to me that a Eaven was seen near Whitchester in 

 the spring of 1883. 



This species is omnivorous, but its principal food consists 

 of carrion, such as the carcases of horses and sheep; and 

 includes dead fish and other marine creatures, which it 

 finds on the sea-shore. It also preys upon small birds and 

 quadrupeds, and will attack larger animals when they show 

 signs of weakness — as in the case of a sheep lying on its back 

 and unable to rise, or a young lamb — its first proceeding 

 in this case being to peck out the eye, and then fall upon 

 the intestines. 



It was not a very early breeder with us, generally begin- 

 ning to build in March, and having eggs in April. The 

 nest, which is usually constructed of sticks lined with wool, 

 is placed in some steep cliff overhanging the sea, such as 

 may be seen at St. Abb's Head ; though formerly it appears 

 not only to have occupied such positions in this county, but 

 also to have been built in inland precipices along the courses 

 of the Whitadder and Blackadder, and in the Lammermuirs, 

 some parts of which have been already mentioned as still 

 bearing the name of the bird. 



The eggs, which vary from four to six in number, are 

 bluish green blotched and streaked with dark olive-brown. 



The Eaven when taken young is easily tamed, and, with 

 a little trouble, may be taught to speak. A fine bird in 

 beautiful plumage has for many years been in the possession 

 of Mr. John Miller, now forester at the Grange, near Cold- 

 ingham, which can imitate the human voice so well that a 



1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club. vol. viii. p. 527. 



- Ibid. vol. ix. p. 389. s jbid, vol. ix. p. 656. 



