RAVEN 
151 
added to its pre-eminence in size, has made it the 
unchallenged sovereign of the great tribe of Crows, 
and the fitting emblem in early days for the banners 
of the Norse sea-rovers. In defence of its nest it 
does not shrink from attacking even the Eagle, and 
in an aerial contest between Ravens and Buzzards, 
which is one of the noblest spectacles which British 
bird-life can show, the big, round-winged Hawk is 
no match at all for the less bulky, but gaunt and 
sinewy, Raven. Though the Raven at close 
quarters looks nearly twice the size of the 
Carrion Crow (or the more familiar Rook), it is 
difficult to judge the dimensions of a bird seen 
flying high in air among the great spaces of the 
mountains, and the Raven is then best identified 
by its far more slow and masterful wing-beats, and 
also its cry. This is a kind of deep-throated 
bark, a great deal sharper as well as deeper than 
the snarling " krar, krar," of the Carrion Crow. 
The Raven still occasionally nests in a tree, but 
more often on some ledge, or in some rift or 
crevice of the cliff or mountain side. The same 
nest is often used for many years, and the annual 
additions make it a huge structure. Building 
begins in February ; the foundation is of sticks, 
and the inside is thickly cushioned with wool, 
tufts of hair and roots, and other casual materials. 
Four or five is the full number of the eggs, but 
