THE RAVEN AT HOME. 333 



of the lot. After the second photograph Earl came round, and 

 after I had changed plates he stayed in vicinity, because a 

 snowstorm was coming up. Very cold inside tent, and by Earl's 

 appearance not much better outside. When sun showed signs 

 of coming out Earl went off. Although the sun shone for two 

 hours, and the young shouted for food, neither of the old birds 

 returned. Just before Earl left one of the youngsters flew out, 

 and there was a great commotion whilst he caught it. When he 

 came back he said that both the Eavens had pursued him across 

 the moor for over a mile, both swearing at him, and the female 

 at one time walking on the ground behind him not more than 

 . twenty feet away, cursing him volubly. The difference in size 

 of the young is, I think, a sexual difference. The smaller has 

 the higher pitched voice. Although voices of old vary according 

 to excitement, being low-pitched when quiet, yet I think the 

 male has the higher pitched voice of the two. 



May 1st. — Before starting proceedings intended to photo- 

 graph the young. Their beaks, which at first were flesh-coloured, 

 are now nearly quite black ; the pigmentation spreads towards 

 middle from both tip and base ; the base has strong bristles 

 pointing towards tip. They are as large as the old birds, and 

 only a few tail-feathers show quills. At no time have they 

 quarrelled in the nest. Just when about to make the first 

 exposure first one and then the other sailed off the nest, and flew 

 up the valley, with the old ones accompanying them ; so bringing 

 our task to an end. The shepherd says that it is only for the first 

 day or two that the old bird mothers them. He also states that 

 he has known them to have six young, and that this would give 

 us best opportunities, as they take quite a fortnight longer to 

 reach maturity. 



Before leaving us Selous pointed out that it would be inte- 

 resting to get some explanation of the fact that in nearly all 

 references to the Eaven, either in the Bible or in fairy stories, 

 it figures as an unnatural bird which does not feed its young. 

 I think that, considering the difficulties we experienced, it may 

 be concluded that the ancients, being without field-glasses or 

 hiding-tents, found it hopeless to watch the old birds feed the 

 young, as being both timid and wary they would not approach 

 nest whilst conscious of being watched. The annual driving 



