RAVENS. 181 



middle of the stem, defying the attempts of all who aspired to 

 get at the nest. Many had tried in vain ; all were ambitious 

 of surmounting the arduous task, but when they arrived at 

 the swelling, it jutted out so in their way, and was so far 

 beyond their grasp, that the most daring and expert climbers 

 were awed, and were obliged to give up the undertaking as 

 too hazardous. So the Raven built on, nest after nest, in 

 perfect security, till a fatal day arrived when the wood was to 

 be levelled. It was in the month of February, and the old 

 one was on her nest. The saw and the hatchet were both at 

 work, the wedges were inserted into the opening, the woods 

 echoed to the heavy blows of the beetle or mallet, the tree 

 nodded to its fall ; but still the dam sat on. At last when it 

 gave way the bird was flung from her nest, and though her 

 constancy deserved a better fate, was whipped down by twigs, 

 which brought her dead to the ground. 



But constant or affectionate as they may be to their brood, 

 it lasts but for a time ; and as is the case with Eagles, and 

 indeed almost all birds, when the young ones are sufficiently 

 matured to take care of themselves, the old ones invariably 

 drive them away and live independently. We have noticed 

 their hostility to the Jackdaws and other birds daring to in- 

 trude on their favourite haunts ; they are, themselves, however, 

 occasionally very outrageous marauders on the property of 

 others. Between Rooks and Ravens, if a rookery perchance 

 is within visiting distance of a Raven's abode, there is eternal 

 warfare ; and no wonder, for they will venture to attack the 

 very nests, and carry off" the unfledged Rooks as food for their 

 own young ; and those who are partial to rookeries have found 

 it necessary to shoot the Ravens and destroy their nests, as the 

 only effectual means of keeping peace amongst the Rooks. 

 But notwithstanding the Raven's superior courage he does not 

 always succeed ; for not only Rooks, but Carrion Crows will 

 sometimes put them to flight. A person once heard an un- 

 common chattering and clamour proceeding from a tree, and 

 going near to learn the cause, observed no less than three 

 Ravens successively issue from the tree, followed by a single 

 Crow, which pursued and drove them fairly off. 



