371 Winged Vermin. 



itself, and there is nothing which can be overcome by its 

 strength or wariness that is not liable to fall a victim to 

 the raven's voracity. Lambs and the feebler sheep suffer 

 chiefly from attack, while game of all sorts which may be 

 in the neighbourhood are as fish to the raven's net, the 

 eggs of grouse and the birds themselves being the chief 

 objects of the raven's rapacity. 



There are but few opportunities offered for its capture 

 by traps, and it is necessary to depend for the most part 

 upon taking the young or eggs, or shooting the birds. 

 Upon the first mode but little need be said, but upon shoot- 

 ing a few remarks may be helpful. The best time to get 

 at ravens is in summer, when the birds may generally at 

 mid-day be seen hovering round the highest part of the 

 moorland which they frequent, and a position should be 

 chosen in some spot hidden to a great extent, whence aim 

 may be taken with but little exposure. A dead lamb 

 or a piece of sheepskin should be provided and placed in 

 full view (on the top of a large stone for preference) in 

 close proximity to the person concealed. If the ravens be 

 about they will soon notice the lure and commence circling 

 round about it, uttering their dismal croak meanwhile. 

 Under such circumstances, a shot at one or both is almost 

 certain. In the open they may often be brought within 

 range by simply lying down on one's back. 



This, so far as I am aware, is all that can be said as 

 to the capture of these birds. It was necessary to take 

 some note of the raven as vermin, for undoubtedly in many 

 districts it is a source of great annoyance and loss to the 

 game-preserver, and whatever may be said as regards the 

 increasing scarcity of the bird, it is certain that for many 

 years to come it will find abundance of country in Great 

 Britain suitable to its tastes and habits, and where its 

 presence may be freely tolerated. 



B B 2 



