192



Rev. F. L. Bpathwayt,



locality, placed securely on the face of a cliff above the sea, and

quite inaccessible without the aid of a rope. The large black

birds show to advantage among the screaming white Sea-gulls,

which often nest all around them.


Anyone who in early Spring has visited a Raven’s strong¬

hold on the sea cliffs must have been impressed by the scene

before him. One such fortress I have in mind as I write. The

Ravens have been known there, on and off, for well over half a

century. Probably they have nested there from time immemorial.

The site has been well chosen. The grassy Down above slopes

off abruptly and then drops sheer into the sea. A deep fissure

runs vertically down the face of the cliff, and half way up this,

on a ledge under a huge overhanging stone the Ravens have

added year after 3 7 ear to the pile of sticks which forms the nest.

The neighbourhood is a favourite haunt of sea and shore birds,

but long before the Curlews and Dunlins have left for their

moorland homes, long before the Sheld-duck has inspected her

burrow, or the Gull has commenced her scanty nest on the cliff,

the Ravens have been busy with their domestic duties. Last

3 7 ear, storm and rain had loosened the overhanging boulder and

the crafty birds were quick to discover their danger. Accordingly

they set to work to build a new nest a few feet awa3 r , but safe

from the threatening stone. The new site was just visible from

above, and by taking care I could peep into the nest. On Feb-

ruary 18th this appeared just ready for eggs as the lining of soft

material had been placed 011 the sticks. About two mouths later,

on April 12th, the nest contained three young birds, well fledged

but unable to fly. A Raven’s nest on a cliff, is in my experience,

usually well hidden from above, but in this case only a steady head

was required to enable one to look straight down at the young

birds below, and my sister, who was with me, enjoyed the sight

as easity as I did. When the young Ravens heard us above they

raised their heads and opened their bills, showing large flesh-

coloured mouths, but on hearing the warning croaks of their

parents tlie3 r crouched down and remained perfecth' still.


A few years ago, soon after we had first discovered this

nesting place, my brothers and I found the temptation to storm

the cliff too strong to resist. The date of attack was March



