RAVEN* 225 



the nest is placed, formed of an immense mass of 

 sticks, warmly and compactly lined inside with 

 hair or wool ; or if, on the face of the cliff, some 

 aged and time-worn tree still remains, and can 

 afford a sufficient resting-place for the heavy 

 fabric, it is sometimes selected, but in general the 

 rock itself is preferred. These eyeries are returned 

 to year after year, and the same spot is again 

 chosen, as is the case with many of the rap- 

 tores ; particular crags and woods have received 

 their names from the presence of these nesting 

 places ; and it is not uncommon, particularly 

 in the south of Scotland, for the rock which 

 affords an eyery to the Peregrine Falcon, to 

 be also tenanted by the Raven. In England, the 

 breeding place is more frequently selected on 

 trees, from the want, undoubtedly, of suitable 

 cliffs ; but all along the rugged coasts, and in 

 mountainous districts, the latter seem to be pre- 

 ferred, and, so far as we are aware, this is the 

 case in the north of Europe, where the species is 

 also abundant. The Raven is one of our earliest 

 breeders, commencing in a mild season in the 

 beginning of February. Where the birds have 

 been undisturbed, the nest may be easily ap- 

 proached, but after alarm they become extremely 

 wary, at the commencement of their incubation 

 soaring in circles at a great height above the 

 intruders, uttering at short intervals their hoarse 

 and singularly sounding croak. As their cares 

 increase, they become less timorous, and cross 

 and recross the situation of the nest, when it is 

 P 



