BIRDS 161 



During the spring days, when ewes are lambing, the Ravens 

 often visit the lower fells; just as in winter they appear on 

 many of the moors of our eastern border. Their presence in 

 the Cumbrian plain is rare, and the same may be said of the 

 lower grounds around Morecambe Bay. I saw a fine Raven 

 which had been caught alive on Roudsea Moss in the autumn 

 of 1890, and can vouch for another having been shot some 

 years ago near Longtown. Both of these individuals had 

 strayed a considerable distance from their usual haunts. It not 

 unfrequently happens that young Ravens are taken from their 

 nests on our precipitous scars, in order to be domesticated. Mr. 

 J. H. Brown has for some years possessed an extremely fine 

 Raven, which enjoys the run of a large garden, much affected 

 by Rooks during the summer. On the 7th of June 1891 the 

 tenants of the rookery nearly terminated the career of Corvus 

 corax. It happened in this wise. Previous to this eventful 

 day the Raven had given serious offence to his neighbours by 

 the practice of his latest accomplishment, — a derisive rendering 

 of their ' cawing.' On this particular morning the Raven found 

 a young Rook dead upon the lawn. He proceeded to bolt the 

 corpse in view of the sorrowing relatives. About two hours 

 later a stir was noticed among the Rooks. Suddenly a large 

 detachment of their number set upon the Raven, which threw 

 himself on his back and showed a plucky defence. Three times 

 the Rooks were driven off, and thrice they returned to the fray 

 as soon as Mr. Brown retired. When rescued for the last time 

 the Raven was nearly played out, and had help been delayed, 

 must speedily have succumbed to the fury of his enemies. 



Order PASSERES. Fam. ALA UDIDjE. 



SKY LARK. 



Alauda arvensis, L. 



If the numbers of individuals sacrificed to the exigencies of 

 the kitchen can be trusted to supply a criterion, the Sky Lark has 

 long been a very abundant bird in Lakeland. The Naworth 

 accounts include many mentions of this Lark being purchased 

 from local fowlers. Thus, in 1612, there is an entry between 



L 



