40 BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



stantial basket-work nests, whilst down south many 

 of their luckier brethren have already begun to " set." 

 Few birds, indeed, in this altitude, are nesting at all, 

 the Raven being the notable exception, and by and 

 by we will visit a nest or two of this species. Early 

 as it is, however, we notice that one pair of Buzzards 

 at least have started spring-cleaning, and in a well- 

 sheltered slate quarry many of the Daws which regu- 

 larly nestle there have likewise commenced operations. 

 During the drive from the station to the comfortable 

 inn which harbours us during our stay in the hills, 

 we notice six Buzzards in the air together, and the 

 keeper tells us that he has seen as many as a dozen. 

 This congregating is generally only witnessed in the 

 early spring, though last year we saw five together 

 on the 3rd of May. Further, we are unable to say 

 exactly the meaning of it, as we have always 

 imagined this species to be life-paired. Of course 

 it may be the old birds driving last year's young 

 away, or even youngsters pairing for the first time ; 

 but in any case the same rocks are tenanted year 

 by year, even though the same eyrie is not used. 

 But Buzzards, like all the larger birds of prey, have 

 two or three chosen spots in a range of cliff, which 

 they call into requisition alternately. 



After depositing our bags, &c., in the inn, we start 

 off with the keeper to see what is doing. Our path, 

 which skirts the stream, leads us through a valley 

 bounded on either side by cliffs broken up into 

 precipices and turf-covered slopes. Here, in the crags 

 on our right, a pair of Ravens have nestled time out 

 of mind ; both are soon in view and resent our 



