32 THE BIRDS OF BRECONSHIRE. 
remember him well, for on one occasion 
he took a small slice out of my leg, uz 
mos fuit, and retired to the top of a spout 
to digest it, amidst my yells and the 
threats of the whole party. Happening 
to be near the place twenty-five years 
afterwards, I ventured to ask for my old 
friend, and to my surprise out he came 
with the same sidelong hop, the same 
malicious twinkle in his eye, and looking 
more sleek and diabolical than ever. His 
death occurred shortly afterwards for 
taking a similar liberty with a large dog 
that he did with my leg, as he got a nip 
in return that killed him. He must 
have been fifty years old when he died, 
and was one of the finest birds I have 
ever seen. The Raven is a bird of ill 
omen amongst the Welsh, and for that 
reason is seldom, if ever, kept as a pet 
by them. 
It is worth remarking that at the 
present day the word ran is applied 
indifferently both to the Rook and the 
Crow, but not to the Raven, which is 
still, and always has been, Cigfrvan, or 
Meat Crow. Williams, however, adds, 
Fdfran, a Rook, or rather Seed or Corn 
a 
