Birds. 9^71 



impunity. A gunner is kept at the respectful distance of about eighty 

 yards, field labourers are regarded with less caution, but a rider will 

 not cause any alarm before he is within easy stone's throw. Some 

 years ago I accidentally discovered a very successful mode of shooting 

 them, the only objection to it being the expenditure of time which it 

 occasions. 1 was lying upon the heather, keeping my gun beneath 

 me to shelter it from a slight shower, when five ravens appeared in 

 the distance, and soon catching sight of me they commenced hovering 

 and croaking overhead. Their curiosity was evidently excited, and 

 they showed every disposition to cultivate a closer acquaintance ; but 

 although I stirred neither hand nor foot, about half an hour passed 

 without any further advance upon their part. Presently the profound 

 truth dawned upon me that dead animals never move their eyes, and 

 accordingly, to make the resemblance as complete as possible, I nearly 

 closed my own. Very shortly afterwards they began to wheel nearer, 

 croaking more loudly than before, and occasionally alighting upon a 

 distant hillock, and at last, when they came within easy range, I started 

 up suddenly, and killed two. Upon several other occasions I have 

 shot them in a similar manner, but they never come within reach 

 either when the gun is exposed to view or when my eyes are open. 

 Although they are so cautious upon these occasions they will fearlessly 

 approach a pony even when it is giving very evident signs of life. 

 A raven will often sit until a dog is almost within reach, and then rise 

 slowly and with apparent carelessness; but this indifference is only 

 assumed, for an aggressive movement on the part of the dog is nearly 

 always accompanied by a hurried ascent upon that of the raven. 

 Sometimes, however, as in a case which occurred here a few years 

 ago, the raven's impudence brings its own punishment. A dog which 

 had long been very much annoyed by one of these birds, which 

 frequented his master's farm, suddenly gave up all attempt at retalia- 

 tion, and was repeatedly seen to proceed upon his way with great 

 apparent unconcern, although his tormentor was evidently using every 

 means to provoke (he usual snarl and its accompanying unsuccessful 

 spring. Seemingly in despair of ever being able to grapple with his 

 enemy, the dog could never again be enticed to forget his own want 

 of wings, and consequently the raven grew bolder and bolder, hopping 

 along almost beneath his very nose, and sometimes even striking him 

 with its claws. One day, however, as the dog was passing along a low 

 turf-wall, the raven thought fit to repeat the performance, keeping most 

 provokingly a little in advance, and occasionally varying the amuse- 

 ment with a croak or a sly pounce. The dog trotted along as briskly 



