OF SELBORNE. 7 



years, that the oak was distinguished by the title of The 

 Raven Tree. Many were the attempts of the neighbouring 

 youths to get at this eyry : the difficulty whetted their 

 inclinations, and each was ambitious of surmounting the 

 arduous task. But, when they arrived at the swelling, it 

 jutted out so in their way, and was so far beyond their 

 grasp, that the most daring lads were awed, and acknow- 

 ledged the undertaking to be too hazardous. So the ravens 

 built on, nest upon nest, in perfect security, till the fatal 



THE RAVEN. 



day arrived in which the wood was to be levelled. It was 

 in the month of February, when those birds usually sit. 

 The saw was applied to the butt, the wedges were inserted 

 into the opening, the woods echoed to the heavy blows of 

 the beetle or mallet, the tree nodded to its fall ; but still 

 the dam sat on. At last, when it gave way, the bird was 

 flung from her nest; and, though her parental affection 

 deserved a better fate, was whipped down by the twigs, 

 which brought her dead to the ground. 



