THE RAVEN AT HOME. 325 



Before leaving we wrapped some heather up in a mackintosh, 

 making a bundle about the size of a camera, and fixed it with 

 tripod about twelve feet from nest to act as a dummy camera, 

 covering all with heather. 



11th. — Heard Eaven's croak through open window in 

 early morning. Walked to nest after breakfast. In crossing 

 moor found Grouse-feathers where there had evidently been a 

 kill (?) Peregrine. Got into hiding-tent at 12.30, raining and 

 blowing hard. 



At 12.45 female flew into alcove ; this is a recess about 

 six feet wide, with an arched top, and filled with old dead 

 heather-stems. She shook herself, and then crouched in the 

 recess. Presently she hopped and walked to the edge, where 

 she stood whilst the wind ruffled up her neck- and breast- 

 feathers so as to show the bare skin. After looking down 

 anxiously many times, as if in painful uncertainty, she hopped 

 and walked along the ledge towards the nest, the wind from 

 behind often nearly taking her off her feet. After more 

 anxious peering and hesitation she launched out on her sable 

 pinions, and with her primaries stretched out like fingers she 

 slowly floated down on the wind, balancing herself with 

 straightened legs and outstretched toes. With little side tilts 

 and turns she floated down past the nest, right down to the foot 

 of the cliff. Just as she seemed about to alight, she floated 

 right up to the top of the cliff, coming down again slowly along 

 its face with one wing nearly grazing it. Then, just as her 

 outspread toes seemed about to touch the ground, she soared 

 away into the valley out of sight. In a few minutes she 

 appeared again in the alcove, and the performance was repeated. 

 This time she did alight at the foot of the cliff, and her actions 

 were explained when I saw both the young rise up from the 

 grass, crying and showing their crimson gapes. After feeding 

 one bird with some crimson stuff which we afterwards identified 

 with sheep's placenta, she floated up into the air and soared 

 away. Within a couple of minutes she returned, and then the 

 male joined her, both sailing up and down the cliff as if drawn 

 up and down on invisible wires. Often one was coming down as 

 the other was going up ; the male looked like a gigantic Chough, 

 his beak all gory with what he carried. Within ten minutes 



