Raven. 223 



but two years ago the cock bird was shot by mistake for a crow 

 while the eggs were being hatched, when the remaining bird 

 brought up the young ones successfully. 



Compton Park. Mr. Penruddocke tells me that Ravens have 

 bred in his park from time immemorial, and when they have 

 .safely brought the young birds to that period in their lives when 

 they can shift for themselves, the old birds lead them away and 

 leave them, and permit no return to the family nest. He also 

 adds, ' The history of my Ravenry is rather a curious one. A 

 pair of Ravens have built in the fir-clump in the park beyond 

 the memory of the oldest inhabitant. At least, I can find 

 out nothing to the contrary. These birds, however, as properly 

 attested, left the place on my uncle's death in December, 1841, 

 and returned when I came to live at Compton in 1849, and 

 built in the same place and in the same Scotch fir-tree. This 

 tree fell down some twelve or fifteen years ago perhaps less 

 when the birds built in a Scotch fir-tree on the top of Compton 

 Down, in a clump of firs called " The Long Folly." Here they 

 were frequently disturbed by a certain gipsy, who with his sons 

 used to rob the nest annually.' This ungenerous treatment 

 seems to have daunted the spirit of the bold Ravens, for, to 

 Mr. Penruddocke's regret, they are not nesting at Compton this 

 year, though they have visited their old haunts. It is hoped, 

 however, that they will return to the park, where they will meet 

 a hearty welcome and efficient protection from the kind-hearted 

 owner. The Ravens' nest in the park was on a tree, which though 

 scarcely inaccessible, was not to be climbed without the help of 

 n ladder: that on Compton Downs was on a smaller and less 

 difficult tree. I must add that the experience of Mr. Penrud- 

 docke's keeper, George Barrett (who was born on the estate), and 

 that of his father before him (now deceased), is to the effect that 

 Ravens do not destroy the eggs of game : this is evidence of no 

 slight value from men who have seen Ravens breeding in their 

 midst every year. 



Breamore. I learn from Mr. E. H. Hulse that Ravens used to 

 breed for about twenty years at the Shoulder of Mutton Clump, 



