THE RAVEN 167 



green. He is usually about twenty-six inches long, and 

 his outspread wings measure more than a yard from tip 

 to tip. 



He is one of the birds that are believed, with plenty of 

 reason, to live to a very great age. Of course this is difficult 

 to calculate in the case of those that are wild, but many 

 instances have been recorded in which a tame Raven has 

 reached the age of seventy years without showing the least 

 signs of feebleness or dullness ; and it is hardly likely that a 

 captive, however well cared for, would live quite so long as 

 his wild free brothers. 



In his natural state, the Raven and his mate begin 

 housekeeping quite early in the year. In England they 

 are at the nest as early as January, and the half-dozen 

 eggs are hatched, as a rule, before the close of February. 



The nest, like that of the Stork, is usually a very old 

 affair. For, if not scared away, a pair of Ravens will use 

 the same nest year after year, "merely repairing or adding 

 somewhat to the structure, which consists of a mass of 

 sticks and heather, with a dense lining of sheep's wool, or 

 something equally soft." 



In our own island, especially in the southern half of it, 

 a Raven's nest is now rare indeed, and where it remains it 

 is usually in a specially high and inaccessible place. In 

 England this crafty bird has need to exercise all his wit 

 when it comes to choosing a position to build in — either 

 a lofty crag, a steep cliff, or a very tall tree standing alone, 

 is the usual choice. 



The late Mr. Bosworth Smith, who was specially inter- 

 ested in the Raven, writing in 1905, says : " Till lately — I 

 do not know whether he does so still — he bred on Flam- 

 borough and on Beachy Head, and on the Freshwater 

 cliffs in the Isle of Wight. But he seems to cling most 



