

RAVEN'S NEST. 1?7 



this love of play, by rising to a considerable height, 

 and whirling and gamboling in the air, apparently for 

 no purpose but amusement. They do that only when 

 the weather is very fine, and while doing it, they have 

 a note which is music compared with what they utter 

 when they are hopping and prowling about upon the 

 ground. 



Ravens are astir betimes, and usually begin their 

 nests in February, or in the colder districts, in March ; 

 but there are of course great differences in different 

 parts of the country. Rocks are their favourite places ; 

 but they also build in trees, though never so high as 

 that their nests will, like those of the rook, be subject 

 to vibration. They always choose a firm place, and 

 one which is not accessible by quadrupeds, or easily by 

 man. It is not so remote or so elevated as the eyrie 

 of the eagle, but nearer the cultivated grounds ; and 

 if there is good cover for game or a rabbit warren in 

 the neighbourhood, that is an inducement. The num- 

 ber of eggs varies, but five or six is about the average ; 

 they are considerably larger than those of the rook ; 

 the green is not so blue in the tinge, and the dark 

 blotches are smaller. While the female sits, the male 

 generally supplies her with food, but occasionally the 

 female flies out for exercise, the male taking her place 

 upon the eggs while she is thus occupied. When the 

 young are hatched, both parents are very assiduous in 

 feeding them, and appear to feel for them consider- 

 able attention. Once in passing near the bottom of a 

 bold cliff, which rises in most places from a brake, and 

 has an altitude of from 60 to 80 feet, we heard a great 

 deal of hoarse lamentation among the bushes. A friend 



