THE BIRDS OF BRECONSHIRE. 45 



Museum. The latest on record I have was killed by the keeper 

 on Cowdenknowes in 1880. Further S.W. it is still common 

 at sea-coast stations; also not rare on Mabie and generally 

 throughout the Stewartry. 



In concluding the present series of papers on the past and 

 present distribution of our rarer British animals, I may state 

 that I have accumulated a large mass of notes upon the class of 

 animals usually called " vermin," including Squirrel, Dipper, Jay, 

 Rook, Magpie, "Hawks," Hooded Crow, Common Crow, Raven, 

 and others, besides the Camivorce. I still want further particulars 

 with a view to perfecting the subject, and if any one can render 

 assistance by forwarding to me lists of vermin killed during the 

 past ten, fifteen, or twenty years on any Scottish estate, I shall be 

 obliged. I believe that the results, if carefully analysed and com- 

 pared, will reveal some curious causes and effects, and interesting 

 statistics in connection with this subject. The series of papers now 

 concluded is confessedly imperfect, and must be regarded rather as 

 an aid to further investigation, with a view to more general results 

 at some future time. With such an end in view I can only repeat 

 that any data of a kindred nature will be thankfully received by 

 me, and will be carefully preserved for future use. 



THE BIRDS OF BRECONSHIRE. 



By E. Cambridge Phillips, 

 Member of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club. 



(Continued from vol. v., p. 409.) 



Raven, Corvus corax. — Still common, and I think will remain 

 so, a great part of the county being unpreserved, and these birds 

 frequent the mountains and highest hills, which are very little 

 disturbed. Wherever you happen to come across a dead sheep 

 you are sure to hear the hoarse croak of the Raven. This bird 

 lives to a great age. When a boy, in Wiltshire, I used to pay a 

 visit — generally on a Sunday — to some friends that lived in an 

 old manor house where there was a tame Raven ; he was then 

 about twenty years old, and full of all sorts of mischief and 

 iniquity, but being a great favourite and a good talker he had 

 pretty much his own way. I remember him well, for on one 



