PONDS, PADDOCKS, AND AVIARIES 39 



the occasion of a visit (in February, 1894) from the 

 members of the Northamptonshire Field Club. 



" It occurs to me that, as I have virtually recorded, in 

 our Natural History Journal, all of importance that I had 

 to communicate with regard to the occurrence of birds in 

 Northamptonshire, and as, to my very great regret, I am 

 (as I long have been) unable to occupy the presidential 

 chair and address the meeting in person, it may interest 

 and amuse some of those present to listen to a few notes 

 upon some of the inmates of our vivaria at Lilford. 



"It is probable that some of those present have already 

 visited Lilford, and to these I sorrowfully announce that 

 my old raven, Sankey, whom they will remember as one 

 of the most amusing of our living creatures, went blind 

 some years ago, and died last year. His companion of 

 later years, Grip by name, is quite as amusing, but not 

 so familiar and sociable as the c late lamented,' whose 

 name he constantly repeats, and has apparently taken to 

 himself. Since the death of Sankey, Grip has had, as a 

 mate, another raven, from Spain, and is rapidly instructing 

 it in every sort of mischief and ' devilment.' One after- 

 noon in November last, I heard these ravens making a very 

 unusual clamour close in front of the house, and on looking 

 out of the window, perceived that they had got hold of, 

 and nearly killed a peregrine falcon ; I sent out a servant, 

 who secured the falcon without difficulty. We found that 

 it was an old wild bird suffering from a sort of asthma 



