BIRD-LIFE OF THE WOODS AND GROVES. 169 



trees that often stand out black against the blood- 

 red or fiery-yellow sunset sky. We can scarcely 

 include the Raven as a woodland species in Devon- 

 shire now, for here, as in most other places, this 

 species has been exterminated from most wooded 

 districts, and is now best known as a dweller on 

 inland tors and on maritime cliffs. It is said, how- 

 ever, that a few Ravens still haunt some of the 

 woods in the northern parts of the county. A very 

 good substitute for the Raven, however, is to be 

 found in the Carrion Crow. This bold and cun- 

 ning bird is commonly distributed over the well- 

 timbered areas, and seems specially fond of 

 making its headquarters in some small plantation. 

 We have a nest of this bird in a tall elm one of 

 a group in an orchard close to Paignton ; it has 

 been tenanted regularly for the past seven years to 

 our knowledge. It always seems a mystery to me 

 that the farmer residing not a hundred yards from 

 the tree tolerates such company in the neighbour- 

 hood of his poultry-yard ; but possibly the sable 

 thieves respect the property of their host. The 

 appearance of the birds at this nest, and their per- 

 sistent hoarse croaking cries, is always one of the 

 first signs of spring to us. This nest has been 



