6 
NATURAL HISTOHY OP SELBORNE. 
ground surrounded by houses, and vulgarly called " The Plestor." * In 
the midst of this spot stood, in old times, a vast oak, with a short squat 
body, and huge horizontal arms extending [almost to the extremity 
of the area. This venerable tree, surrounded with stone steps, and seats 
above them, was the delight of old and young, and a place of much 
resort in summer evenings; where the former sat in grave debate, 
while the latter frolicked and danced before them. Long might it have 
stood, had not the amazing tempest in 1703 overturned it at once, to 
the infinite regret of the inhabitants, and the vicar, who bestowed 
several pounds in setting it in its place again : but all his care could 
not avail ; the tree sprouted for a time, then withered and died. This 
oak I mention to show to what a bulk planted oaks also may arrive : and 
planted this tree must certainly have been, as will appear from what will 
be said farther concerning this area, when we enter on the antiquities 
of Selborne. 
On the Blackmoor estate there is a small wood called Losel's, of a 
few acres, that was lately furnished with a set of oaks of a peculiar 
growth and great value; they were tall and taper like firs, but 
standing near together had very small heads, only a little brush 
without any large limbs. About twenty years ago the bridge at the 
Toy, near Hampton Court, being much decayed, some trees were 
wanted for the repairs that were fifty feet long without bough, and 
would measure twelve inches diameter at the little end. Twenty such 
trees did a purveyor find in this little wood, with this advantage, that 
many of them answered the description at sixty feet. These trees were 
sold for twenty pounds apiece. 
In the centre of this grove there stood an oak, which, though shapely 
and tall on the whole, bulged out into a large excrescence about the 
middle of the stem. On this a pair of ravens had fixed their residence 
for such a series of years, that the oak was distinguished by the title of 
the Raven Tree. Many were the attempts of the neighbouring youths 
to get at this eyry : the difliculty whetted their inclinations, and each 
was ambitious of surmounting the arduous task. But, when they 
arrived at the swelling, it jutted out so in their way, and was 
so far beyond their grasp, that the most daring lads were awed, and 
acknowledged the undertaking to be too hazardous : so the ravens 
built on, nest upon nest, in perfect security, till the fatal day arrived in 
which the wood was to be levelled. It was in the month of February, 
when these birds usually sit. The saw was applied to the butt, — the 
wedges were inserted into the opening, — the woods echoed to the heavy 
blow of the beetle or malle or mallet,— the tree nodded to its fall ; but 
still the dam sat on. At last, when it gave way, the bird was flung 
from her nest; and, though her parental affection deserved a better 
fate, was whipped down by the twigs, which brought her dead to the 
ground.t 
have been spindled up by the more vigorous trees to great length and uniformity 
of thickness, and which in all probability would have been ultimately killed. 
* Vide the plate in the antiquities. 
t We have always found the raven, whether nesting upon a rock or upon 
tree, most unapproachable after she had been disturbed or alarmed. 
