CHAPTER XXVI 



Ravens Habits and nesting of Corbies a Corby messenger The Ravens' 

 God Noah's curse Superstitions The Druid's rock The devil's 

 rock Birds driving away their young A paradise of "vermin." 



THE Raven is a sort of genius loci of many mountainous 

 districts, and is yet, happily, common enough to attract 

 attention in most parts of Wales. In the immediate vicinity 

 of Llanuwchllyn its lot is not altogether a happy one, for, 

 in addition to the grudge which the sheep-farmer always 

 bears it, it is there subject to much persecution at the hands 

 of the gamekeeper, and is seldom, or never, allowed to 

 bring off a brood. Old nests, or the remains of them, may 

 be seen in several of the higher cliffs ; but they are so 

 substantially built, when new, and last for so many years, 

 that such evidence cannot in itself be taken as denoting any 

 very recent occupation. One nest pointed out to me was 

 said to have remained untouched for ten years ; and yet, 

 at the distance of some couple of hundred feet, it looked 

 so new, through the binoculars, that it was difficult to 

 believe it had not been built that spring. Much of this 

 durability the nests owe as much to their situation as to 

 the substantial materials of which they are composed. The 

 site may appear exposed enough, at a distance, but a nearer 

 approach will disclose the care with which it has been 

 chosen. Probably hardly a drop of rain can fall upon it, 

 no matter whence the wind may blow ; while projecting 

 rocks often afford such protection from the wind, that 

 however fiercely the storm may rage along the face of the 

 cliff, or beat up against it, the nest lies in a kind of harbour, 

 where all the great waves are broken on the bar, and 

 nothing but gentle ripples stir the air immediately around it. 

 When it is remembered that the selection of the site 



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