AN OUTLAW OF THE AIR 139 



description indeed, if we follow the raven to his 

 haunt we come upon the most wild and rugged 

 scenery that our British Islands can boast of. This 

 nest did not appear to be difficult of access, but 

 when we attempted to climb, we found it impossible 

 to reach the place without ropes. The nest contained 

 two eggs, which could be seen from above, and by 

 waiting four days we hoped the bird would lay the 

 full clutch. On our way home a thick mist de- 

 scended, and we arrived at our inn wet through and 

 hungry, but well satisfied with our first day's work in 

 the raven's haunt. 



This nest was discovered on March I4th. We re- 

 turned to photograph it on the I7th, and were some- 

 what surprised to find that still it contained only two 

 eggs, and that the hen was sitting on them. After a 

 short rest we prepared for the descent, but found to 

 our dismay that the crowbar to hold the ropes could 

 not be driven into the hard rock, there being only a 

 few inches of soil, and not enough to secure any 

 hold. Almost over the nest there was a fair-sized 

 ledge, and we climbed down to this and endeavoured 

 to drive the crowbar in here, but over the rock there 

 was only a thick layer of moss, and this also gave no 

 hold. We were beginning to think that a photo- 

 graph could not be taken, but I was determined if it 

 was possible it should be done. A little to the left 

 and above the nest there was a small tree growing in 



