RAVEN. 257 



In winter, especially if severe, their numbers increase." 

 Already the fiat of extermination had gone forth against 

 all "feathered vermin/' and the modern system of 

 wholesale game-preserving signed the death warrant 

 of many of our indigenous species. At the present 

 time, so great a change has been effected by the above 

 and other causes, in the local history of this fine bird, 

 that after many enquiries I have been unable to ascer- 

 tain the existence of more than a pair or two of ravens 

 in any part of the county as actual residents in a wild 

 state. On the llth of February, 1847, a single bird was 

 killed on the Narford road, near Swaffham, as I learn 

 from the Rev. E. W. Dowell ; and in March of the same 

 year, Mr. Spalding,* of Westleton, took three eggs 

 from a nest in a wood at Stockton; but the most re- 

 cent instance, to my knowledge, of their breeding in 

 Norfolk, is thus described by Mr. F. S. Dugmore in the 

 "Field," of April 30th, 1859: " A raven's nest was 

 taken in one of the Beachamwell plantations on the 

 14th of April ; it contained five young ones about two- 

 thirds fledged. I myself saw one of the old birds soar- 

 ing in circles high over the fir-trees in which the nest 

 was found, and have one of the brood still in my pos- 

 session." The following interesting account of a pair 

 which annually breed near Elveden, in Suffolk, but on 

 the borders of the two counties, is thus given by Mr. 

 Hewitson (Eggs Brit. Birds, 3rd ed.), from the pen of 



* The same practical ornithologist also informs me that a pair 

 of Eavens, which bred for many years in Highgrove, near Gel- 

 destone, Suffolk, raised their nest annually with fresh materials, 

 till at length this structure, which was placed in the fork of a tree, 

 became so high that in standing on the supporting branch he could 

 barely see into it. The hobbies always used it after the young 

 ravens had flown ; and in one year a pair of kestrels laid, but 

 were probably driven away, as he found their eggs amongst the 

 loose lining, w^ien he subsequently took those of the hobbies for 

 his collection. 

 2L 



