82 MOUNTAIN AND MOORLAND 



Apart from man it has few enemies, for it will face up 

 to Eagle and Hawk. In some cases the phrase 

 " facing up " is anything but appropriate, for the 

 Raven, challenged in flight, will allow itself to be 

 almost pounced upon, and will then suddenly turn 

 upside down in the air, showing a disconcerting readi- 

 ness of claws and beak. This is the Raven's way, for 

 all who have been able to make its close acquaintance 

 are agreed in admiring its shrewdness, resourceful- 

 ness, and cunning. 



Very characteristic of some European mountains, 

 such as the Alps and Pyrenees, but now rare in 

 Britain and almost confined to cliffs near the coast, is 

 the very attractive Chough (Pyrrho corax pyrrhocorax*), 

 easily known by its relatively small size (sixteen inches 

 long), its red legs, and its red curved bill. It usually 

 lives in isolated pairs, unlike its first cousin the Alpine 

 Chough (Pyrrho corax graculus), which is gregarious. 

 It is a vivacious, clever, affectionate bird; and one of 

 its interesting features is that it pairs for life. The 

 male brings palatable gifts to his mate, and he has 

 been seen " to manifest his affection by softly rubbing 

 the back of her head with the underside of his coral 

 beak." 



Among stones on the Cairngorms and some other 

 Highlandmountains the Snow Bunting (Pie drop henax 

 nivalis) sometimes makes its grassy nest, lined inside 

 with hair and feathers, and successfully brings up its 

 young. This is interesting, because the bird is really 

 at home in the Far North, and is for the most part a 

 winter visitor to our islands. We welcome them in 

 the north of Scotland at the beginning of each winter 

 as they come in little bands seeking ground less 



