158 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS 



In England, probably owing to the systematic persecution to which it has 

 been subjected, the Raven is becoming very rare, though a few pairs still breed 

 regularly in the rocky headlands of our southern and south western coasts. 

 Howard Saunders observes that nests built in trees, although far rarer than 

 formerly, are less uncommon than might be supposed at short distances inland. 

 Not long ago several pairs bred in Essex. To this I can add that in the winter 

 of 1885-6 a pair of Ravens used daily to pass over my garden at Penge (where I 

 then lived) and on mentioning the fact to a friend in the train he told me he 

 knew of a pair which had a nest in the spring of 1885 not far from Beckenham, 

 but he intended to keep its situation to himself lest I should be tempted to try 

 and secure the eggs. 



In Scotland, and particularly the Outer Hebrides and other Western Isles 

 northwards to the Shetlands, it is still common ; whilst it is found in the wilder 

 regions of Ireland. 



The Raven is glossy black, with iridescent purple and Prussian blue tints on 

 the upper parts and throat ; bill and feet black, iris brown. The female is 

 smaller, and less distinctly shot with purple and blue. The young resemble the 

 female, but lack the metallic gloss of adult birds. 



The bird of Odin is widely regarded with superstitious awe ; its sable 

 colouring, gruff croaking notes, and its delight in carrion, however foul and 

 putrid, have doubtless conspired to stamp it as a bird of evil omen; yet, to watch 

 a pair of Ravens at play, gives one no feeling of horror or disgust ; for their 

 foolish antics and absurd lateral jumps are irresistibly laughable. 



Lord Lilford ('Birds of Northamptonshire,' vol. I, pp. 212-213) observes: 

 " We have had many opportunities of closely observing the habits of this 

 eminently sagacious bird in various parts of the world, and, in spite of his 

 tendencies to murder, assault, and robbery, we must confess to a great liking for 

 him. The Raven is in this county a very early breeder, generally selecting a 

 secure ledge in a cliff, more rarely a tall tree, and returning to the same locality 

 for nesting year after year. The young birds often leave the nest during the 

 first fortnight of March, sometimes before that date. We have more than once 

 heard of a full complement of eggs early in February, and, on the other hand, 

 found unfledged young in more than one Raven's nest as late as the middle of 

 May. The old birds are always wary, one always keeping a close look-out whilst 

 the other is on the nest, and immediately uttering a warning note on the 

 approach of danger. We have heard of Ravens vigorously attacking persons 

 attempting to harm their nests, but have never witnessed anything of the sort, 

 our experience being to the effect that, during the siege, the parent birds usually 



