228 Corvidce. 



of Sir John Neeld, called ' Ravenshurst 'pronounced Ravens- 

 roost where he had heard that these birds used to breed, and this 

 was corroborated by Mr. Algernon Neeld, who, however, added 

 that the Ravens have not existed there for at least thirty years 

 past. 



Draycote Park. That there was a Raven-tree in the park here 

 I am very certain, because my excellent friend, the Rev. G. 

 Marsh, often told me that he obtained his celebrated Raven from 

 here more than forty years ago. It was a large elm tree, and 

 Canon Goddard tells me he remembers the high trees at the top 

 of the park where the Ravens used to breed. Now, however, 

 they are quite gone, and Lord Cowley knows nothing of them 

 there at the present day. 



Charlton Park. I have already said, on the authority of Lord 

 Suffolk, that no Ravens' nests or even Ravens have been in 

 residence there in modern times : but hi the olden time, which 

 I suppose means fifty years ago, Ravens used to breed regularly 

 in the park here. 



Badminton. By the kindness of Mr. Lowndes, of Castle 

 Combe, I have the following interesting account of the Ravens 

 at Badminton, from the pen of the Duke of Beaufort, and as his 

 Grace permits me to make use of his information, I do so with 

 singular satisfaction. ' Ravens used to breed frequently in the 

 top of the highest elm of the park, about three furlongs to the 

 north-east of the house, and one furlong from Allengrove. The 

 nest was of enormous size, and much used, and about three years 

 in five, young birds were hatched out there.' Some thirty years 

 ago a keeper destroyed the pair of old Ravens that had brought 

 out their brood, and caught the young birds: but the Duke, 

 indignant at the destruction of the Ravens, ordered the man to 

 bring up the young birds by hand, and turn them out into the 

 park : and as his farther employment as keeper depended on his 

 success, the man contrived to rear the young Ravens, and thus 

 replace the old birds which he had shot. 'About 1879 or 1880, 

 on a very still June day the Raven-tree fell without any apparent 

 cause. Then such a nest was laid open to view as I had never 



