THE RAVEN. 167 



THE EAVEN. 



CORVUS CO RAX. 

 Fitheach. Biadhtach. 



IN spite of all the persecution to which this well-known bird has 

 been subjected, it is still common on some parts of the mainland, 

 and on both groups of islands extending to the Haskeir rocks and 

 St Kilda. Its proverbial cunning and fitness to withstand the 

 rigours of a variable climate have, doubtless, been the means of 

 its preservation. Up to the present time (1870) it continues 

 breeding at the Mull of Galloway, Ailsa Craig, Island of Arran, 

 Jura, Mull, Islay, Skye, and, it may be added, all the other islands 

 of the Inner Hebrides where there are suitable cliffs for its pro- 

 tection. I have observed it, chiefly in pairs, on the outer chain 

 of islands, where it evades all attempts at its destruction by its 

 activity and vigilance. On Ben Eval, in North Uist, a pair have 

 dwelt for many years, and are observed daily setting out together 

 in the morning and returning in the evening about sunset. During 

 the interval they have been searching nearly the whole of the 

 shores of the Long Island. I watched this pair for ten successive 

 nights returning to their mountain solitudes at the same hour, 

 and, on still evenings, could hear their dull croak long before they 

 came in sight. They flew with strong beats and in a straight line 

 homewards. Mr Lamont of Nunton informs me that ravens occa- 

 sionally visit farm yards at Benbecula and clutch young chickens : 

 he has shot them in the act. This was chiefly in the evening 

 when the birds had returned hungry and dissatisfied with their 

 day's expedition. 



In Macgillivray's work on British Birds, it is stated that as 

 many as two hundred of these birds have been known to assemble 

 in a flock on the island of Pabbay, in the Sound of Harris a 

 large herd of grampuses which was driven on shore there having 

 been the means of attracting them. Afraid of their prolonged 

 stay, and not liking the company of so many birds of evil repute, 

 the inhabitants resorted to the extraordinary expedient of cap- 

 turing a few and plucking off all their feathers, except those of 

 the wings and tail, in which plight they were set adrift as scare- 

 crows. The main flock then left in a fright and did not return. 

 In this unusual congregation of Ravens an albino was observed, 



