KAYEX. 33 



"t 1 the field of action; the shot was hardly fired, when 

 it darted out from its retreat, and seizing one of the dead 

 or wounded Sparrows, hurried back to its hiding-pl;v 

 have often witnessed the whole scene.' And again, the fol- 

 lowing communicated to him by Mr. R. Ball: 'When a boy 

 )ol, a tame Haven was very attentive in watching our 

 cribs or bird-traps, and when a bird was taken, he endeavoured 

 to catch it by turning up the crib, but in so doing the bird 

 always escaped, as the Rav-jn could not let go the crib in 

 time to seize it. After several vain attempts of this kind, 

 the Haven, seeing another bird caught, instead of going at 

 once to the crib, went to another tame Raven, and induced 

 it to accompany him, when the one lifted up the crib, and 

 the other bore the poor captive off in triumph.' 



Havens often fly at a considerable height in the air, and 

 perform various circling evolutions and frolicksome somersets: 

 the sound produced by the action of their wings is heard at 

 some distance. They hop on the ground in a sidelong sort 

 of manner, and make rapid advances; if in haste, making use 

 of the help of the wings; and at other times walk sedately. 



The present is a very voracious bird, and whatever the 

 sense be by which the Vultures are attracted to their food, 

 by the same, in equal perfection, is the Haven directed to its 

 meal, with unerring precision. It too is as patient in hunger 

 as they are, but when an abundance of food comes in its way, 

 like Captain Dalgetty, it makes the most of the opportunity, 

 and lays in a superabundant stock of 'provant.' It performs 

 the same useful part that those birds do, in devouring much 

 which might otherwise be prejudicial. 



Live stock as well, however, it stows away; weak sheep and 

 lambs it cruelly destroys, as also poultry: hence its destruction 

 by shepherds and others, and hence again its consequent shy- 

 ness and resort to some place of refuge. The eggs of other 

 birds it also eats, watching its opportunity when the birds 

 are absent; it transfixes them with its bill, and thus easily 

 conveys them away: those of Cormorants even, it has been 

 ying off with. Leverets, rabbits, rats, reptiles, shell-fish, 

 which, Wilson says, it drops from a considerable height in 

 the air on the rocks, in order to break the shells; worms, 

 insects, caterpillars, and sometimes, it is said, grain: carrion, 

 whether tish, flesh, or fowl, it likewise devours. I have often 

 seen these birds searching the sea shore Lr any such wait's 

 and strays. 



VOL. II. D 



