BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 119 
places of this species ; and from what I can learn there 
would appear to be some twelve to sixteen sites within the 
limits of the county, now usually visited annually in 
February or early March for nesting-purposes. I regret 
that I cannot give more accurate information as to local 
breeding-places ; if we are to admire the enthusiastic zeal 
of the egg-collector, so we must beware of his indiscriminate 
greed. 
The parties of Ravens occasionally seen at the end of 
autumn, or early in February, may possibly be migrants 
on their way to more northern climes. 
A fine pair of Ravens are to be seen in TuUie House 
Museum, Carlisle, labelled " Dumfriesshire, February 17th, 
1894. Presented by Mr. D. L. Thorpe." Specimens are 
also to be found in many country houses, evidences of the 
warm welcome " given to an uncommon bird directly 
it appears within gunshot. 
Mr. S. Copland tells me of a pair in Sanquhar which 
frequently took rabbits from his snares, but would not touch 
the rabbits in his traps, sagacity which may have been 
learned by experience. The disposition to pick out the 
eyes and tongues of new-born lambs or weakly sheep has 
often sealed their doom ; but like many other evil-doers 
they too play a useful part in Nature, by keeping in 
check smaller obnoxious animals, and by disposing of 
offal. About 1835 they are recorded from Lochmaben, 
" as occasionally seen by the sides of the lakes picking 
up the small fish that happen to come within their 
reach."* 
Young Ravens taken from the nest have frequently 
been brought up as pets, but have generally been destroyed 
because of their subsequent peccadilloes. In one case at 
Penpont, about 1899, a bird took to bullying the smaller 
children, who became so frightened at it that it had to be 
shot. 
* Neio Stat. Acct. Scot., Vol. IV., p. 180. 
