20 8 Wild Life in Wales 



consequence of its not returning to the Ark, has assumed 

 many forms. According to one version, " it always flies 

 crooked, and not straight like other birds," a habit which 

 is sometimes particularly emphasised when its nest is 

 endangered. Soaring overhead, it may then, occasionally, 

 be noticed going through a series of curious evolutions, 

 giving the impression that it is progressing by alternate 

 strokes of the wings, a method of flight I have not observed 

 in any other bird. It has also a habit of dropping a foot 

 or two through the air at each croak, rolling over sideways 

 in a manner peculiarly its own. Another variant of the 

 story says that, when it returned not to the Ark, it took 

 up its abode on the mountain tops, and was condemned 

 by Noah to remain there ever afterwards. Hence we find 

 it still an inhabitant of the mountain, and it may be heard 

 calling upon " Noah, Noah" to relieve it from the curse. 

 To some ears the cry sounds more like "Awake, awake," or 

 " To horse, to horse" and by such it is supposed to be calling 

 upon some sleeping beauty, or warrior, who lies spell-bound 

 in some mountain cave. Its sable hue is also said to be an 

 heritage from the Ark. 



" 'Tis said the raven, ere the Flood, 



Was white as any white sea-mew : 



But something that he said or did, 

 While in the Ark, upon him drew 



A curse from Noah, and since that 

 His feathers have been corby-black." 



In Merionethshire quite as many tales and superstitions 

 attach to the Raven as elsewhere ; but the inhabitants have 

 a particular dislike to talk upon such subjects, partly per- 

 haps because they are still regarded more or less seriously, 

 and it is very difficult for a stranger to get at them. One 

 says that the Eagle would never allow the Raven to build 

 upon Cader Idris (King Arthur's court), and that, since the 

 disappearance of the royal bird, the Falcon has taken his 

 place and assumed his sway. 



According to another, all the Ravens fly to the seashore 

 in the morning, if there has been a wreck at sea ; or, in the 



