LOVE FOR MATE 153 



another in mid-air, and often tumble down a fathom 

 or two, as if shot, or turn right over on their backs, 

 in sheer merriment. When the wind is high, the 

 " tempest-loving " birds shoot up in the air like a 

 rocket or a towering partridge to an immense height, 

 and then, by closing their wings, drop, in a series of 

 rapid jerks or plunges, which they can check at 

 pleasure, down to the ground. The male raven, 

 while his mate is sitting, keeps anxious watch over 

 her, and croaks savagely when any one approaches, 

 or sallies forth, in eager tournament, against any 

 rook, or crow, or hawk, or larger bird of prey which 

 intrudes on his domains. If you can manage to 

 evade his watchful eye, and enter the wood 

 unobserved, you can, sometimes, lie down quite still, 

 in sight of the nest and note all that is going on. 

 You will see him perch on the very top of an 

 adjoining fir-tree, or whet his beak, as he is fond of 

 doing, against one of its branches, or fiercely tear 

 off others and drop them below. You will hear him 

 utter a low gurgling note of conjugal endearment, 

 which will, sometimes, lure his mate from her charge ; 

 and then, after a little coze and talk together, you 

 will see him, unlike many husbands, relieve her, for 

 the time, of her responsibilities, and take his own 

 turn upon the nest. 



