104 FIELD-STUDIES OF RARER BIRDS 



from the crags, and snap off the smaller branches 

 and twigs. Hence, no doubt, arose the fairy tale, 

 told by an indifferent observer, of Ravens pelting 

 with sticks those who trespassed on their 

 premises. 



On the other hand, some Ravens at their nest 

 are remarkably easy-going, even when they have 

 nestlings, and disappear from the scene entirely, 

 only showing at long intervals on the sky-line ; they 

 may even disappear entirely ; whilst, at other times, 

 the sitting hen will slink away, leaving her gallant 

 lord and master to do battle with all comers, not 

 to return till the threatened disturbance has passed. 

 Rarely the male forms no part of the picture. 



After all, it is against passing birds that the 

 Raven is most bitter, especially when a human being 

 invades its privacy. Even one of their own kind 

 may be rudely intreated should he venture on 

 sacred territory. On sea-cliffs Gulls are often 

 repugnant to them at the best (Ravens, by the way, 

 love the eggs of sea-birds), and aerial combats are 

 frequent with as they occur Crows, Daws, 

 Kestrels, Kites, Buzzards, Eagles, and even my 

 lord Peregrine. Lusty fellow though he is, the 

 Raven is no match for this falcon, and yet the loss 

 of a few feathers is the sole result of an encounter 

 which proves bloodless. On the other hand I have 

 seen clumsy birds like the Buzzard actually 

 struck, and Jackdaws sometimes escape the Raven's 

 terrific onslaught by the narrowest margin, while 



