1916. Carroll — Ravens in Cos. W aterford and Tipperary. 75 
RAVENS IN COS. WATERFORD AND TIPPERARY. 
BY C. J. CARROLL. 
The Raven, formerly very common in these counties, is 
dwindhng away before the poison which is laid in the wilder 
parts for the destruction of Foxes. Six pairs still breed in 
Co. Waterford, three along the coast, and three amongst the grim 
precipices of the Comeragh Mountains. In Co. Tipperary it is 
on the verge of extinction, a pair which breed in the Galtee 
range being probably the last of the race. Others nested until 
recently in the Knockmealdown Mountains, but the site is now 
occupied by the Peregrines. Some Ravens breed extraordinarily 
early, and a few years ago on our southern coast a nest was 
nearing completion on January 31st. The foundation of rough 
sticks and superstructure of fibrous matter was all in place, only 
the inner lining being absent. On February 9th the female was 
sitting in it at intervals, and by February 20th she was incu- 
bating five eggs. 
Even far up in the mountains nidification is seldom delayed ; 
and in a cliff" over Coumshingaun, a dark, lonely lake lying in the 
Comeraghs, the young are hatched in March or early April, and 
when they emerge from the shells the surrounding rocks are draped 
in icicles. The building of the vast nest is often leisurely under- 
taken, but should occasion require it can be speedily constructed. 
The warm and abundant lining consists of roots, grass, wool, and 
cows' hair, frequently torn from the backs of the living animals. 
I have found rags, pieces of ropes, etc., used. Four eggs are 
frequently laid, usually five or six ; but as the bird becomes aged 
the number declines. Even when sitting hard, the female will 
leave the nest when she catches sight of you, and often she will 
slip off before you come into view, for the male, who is always 
watching, gives the alarm. 
Those ravens which dwell in maritime cliffs love to breed beside 
a colony of Cormorants or Herring Gulls, whose eggs they con- 
tinually pilfer. It is most amusing to see a Cormorant being 
driven from its eggs. The Raven alights close by and sidles up 
