io8 NETHER LOCHABER. 



Arctic seas have made their appearance along our shores, while we 

 observe that the rook and grey crow have already begun to frequent 

 the beach at low water in search of what may be picked up in the 

 way of a meal, a sure sign that they also look upon it as already 

 come, and that their food in more inland parts has disappeared 

 until a kindlier season has come round. 



A very large raven (Corvus corax), the biggest specimen of this 

 bird we have ever seen, was trapped at the head of Glencreran a 

 few days ago by a bird-catcher that annually pays the West High- 

 lands a visit at this season. It was a female, as fat and plump as 

 a Michaelmas goose, and weighed within an ounce or two of four 

 pounds. The plumage, as might be expected in a bird of such 

 high condition, was perfect, with the exception of two of the upper 

 alar feathers, which were perfectly white, an abnormality, however, 

 that only rendered the specimen all the more interesting. The 

 raven is the craftiest and shyest of birds, never venturing within 

 shot of fowling-piece or rifle, and more difficult than any other bird, 

 perhaps, to be outwitted or circumvented in any way. With all 

 his craft and caution, however, the raven is, when occasion calls, 

 one of the most courageous and boldest of birds. At the time of 

 nidification, for instance, the male will fearlessly attack the largest 

 falcon and drive him from what he considers his own proper 

 territory, nor will he shun the combat, as we have often observed, 

 even with the osprey or bald buzzard when they met in mid air on 

 their predatory excursions, and a sufficient casus belli has been 

 found or feigned by either belligerent. We remember seeing an 

 encounter of this kind several years ago, which continued nearly 

 an hour, and was a very pretty and interesting sight, the com- 

 batants performing the most beautiful aerial evolutions as they 

 charged, and parried, and soared, and swooped in fierce and de- 

 termined conflict. We noticed that the raven frequently uttered 

 his hoarse and threatening croak, as if to intimidate his opponent, 



