o?i Rambles among the Wild Birds.



193



21st, and we thought that by that time the nest was sure to con¬

tain eggs. A crowbar and rope were borrowed from a coasting

vessel lying at anchor hard by, and we proceeded to the assault.

The climber of the “ Raven Tree ” mentioned earlier, volunteered

for the descent, and so he was let down over the cliff until we on

the top received the signal that he had reached the nest. The

voice sounded strange coming up from the depths below, but we

could just catch the words “3'oung birds,” which to enthusiastic

egg collectors meant disappointment. However, when the

climber had reached the top of the cliff we found that he had

not returned without some trophy. The nest he said contained

four young birds apparently only a few da}^s old, but among

these were two stale eggs which had not been hatched out, and

these we still have to remind us of the adventure.


Many pleasant holiday hours may be spent watching these

noble birds at their ancestral strongholds on the wild cliffs above

the sea. The power of their flight is very remarkable, and I

have seen them soaring up into the air in spiral circles with

almost motionless wings, until they were lost to sight. But even

the hardy strong-winged Raven is sometimes severely buffeted

by the fierce winds, and a bold bird indeed must he be, to dare

to rear his brood on the wild sea cliffs before the March gales

have spent their force. I have watched the birds through my

glasses struggling inch by inch to reach their nest against a gale

of wind, and could see by their wide-open bills that the task was

taxing their powers to the utmost.


The cock Raven, when at his nesting haunt, may often

be seen performing curious antics in the air. He will suddenly

half close his wings, throw himself on his back and drop down¬

wards for some distance before turning over again and recovering

his balance. This strange performance is usually accompanied

by low guttural croaks sounding rather like a hoarse laugh,

which is very different from the harsh croak of alarm. It may

have some connection with the “ shewing-off” displays common

to the cock birds of many species during the mating season, but

it must bear some other meaning as well, as I have often seen these

tumbles and somersaults performed while the young have been in

the nest. L,ike the frantic divings and twistings of the male



