146 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



but with wonderful powers of flight for a jackdaw 

 this one also eluded his pursuer. Not until the 

 whole flock of intruders had been driven from his 

 well-guarded haunt did the raven rest ; then, floating 

 along with outspread pinions, he soared round and 

 about his nest,' every now and then "tumbling'' -a 

 curious habit, he has. While going along slowly 

 he falls on his back in the air, drops a few feet, then 

 recovers himself and soars again. 



When ravens have young the male will almost 

 attack any intruder who goes too near the nest, 

 whether it be man or bird. A keeper I know, who 

 lives near the ravens' haunt, was once sitting near to 

 a nest containing a brood. One of the old birds was 

 flying about the steep dingle or gorge on the hillside, 

 " barking " defiance, and trying to guard his young. 

 A too venturesome kestrel, which, I believe, had a 

 nest in the same dingle, began flying round the 

 larger bird. This so angered the raven that he 

 attacked the kestrel without more ado. The latter, 

 with much better powers of flight, simply toyed with 

 his adversary, and for a long time the two soared 

 round and about, the kestrel seeming to enjoy the 

 fun, while the raven, to judge by his angry " barks," 

 was becoming more and more enraged. At last he 

 became more determined, and with one desperate 

 rush caught up to the little brown hawk, and with a 

 deadly blow struck him down. For the last time the 



