RAVEN. 
3 
In the north this species nests on ledges and in crevices among the ragged and broken slabs of stone in 
the most inaccessible parts of the inland mountains, and also in wild rocky precipices overhanging the sea. 
On various parts of the coast a few stragglers may still be met with all round our islands. One or two pairs 
resort to the chalk cliffs near Beachy Head in Sussex ; and I have several times observed the birds in the 
neighbourhood of the Lizard and the eastern portion of Mounts Bay, and also along the wild and moss- 
grown headlands between the Logan Rock and the Land’s End. I am afraid the greater number of those 
that frequented the large woods in the interior of the country are now driven from their quarters by the felling 
of the timber or constant persecution. The nest itself is a large coarse structure, heather-stalks being freely 
used in its composition in the barren districts of the north, and the architects making use of whatever branches 
and twigs came nearest in other localities. The interior is a mixture of sheep’s wool, moss, hair, fine grass, 
and other soft materials. 
The Plate shows an adult bird with a dead white hare — a common sight on the hill-tops on the day 
following a big drive in many counties in the Highlands. 
The tricks and eccentricities of Ravens in confinement have frequently been described and commented 
upon by various writers ; and numbers of these birds whose habits were more or less peculiar and amusing have 
come under my own observation. I cannot, however, pass over, without a few remarks, one that I became 
acquainted with while at the University. In the centre of the toum of Cambridge there was in those days 
(now over twenty years ago) an establishment well known to most undergraduates whose tastes inclined towards 
sporting matters. Anyone who remembers the graphic sketch of the dog-dealer’s yard in ‘Tommiebeg 
Shootings ’ can form an idea of the place, as the surroundings were almost identical. Rifle-shooting, practised 
after an original method at live pigeons, drew sundry embryo marksmen ; but the main attraction was the 
spacious pit, in which all sorts of battles between birds and beasts used to be fought, in addition to the legitimate 
sport of ratting. The encounter between the tame Raven and a rat could hardly be termed a fight, as it 
invariably ended in the discomforture of the quadruped. A large strong rat would, however, occasionally 
prove a tough customer. After having flown several times at the head of the bird, it would discover it could 
not face the terrible raps it received from the powerful bill of its adversary, and, partly crippled, would attempt 
to seek safety by flight. The aspect of the Raven would now have been a fine study for an artist: with every 
feather on end, hopping and croaking, and occasionally almost screaming with rage, lie would relentlessly 
pursue his retreating victim round and round the pit. When at length a lucky blow had put an end to the 
contest and “Old Nick” (the Raven) had been lifted out of the pit, lie would shuffle off across the yard to his 
cage, bearing in his beak the body of his fallen foe, on which to regale himself at his leisure. His roguish 
glance of distrust at the company, evidently fearing to be robbed of his prey, while he sidled back to his den 
was comical in the extreme. 
The domestic arrangements of the happy family that were inmates of the same enclosure with “ Old 
Nick ” were at feeding time exceedingly amusing. The group, as near as I can remember, consisted of a 
Goose (a pink-footed, winged on Midsummer Common), some Owls, a few small Hawks, a couple of Magpies, 
a single Jay, and two or three Jackdaws. If it happened that his sable Majesty had been performing in the 
pit and his appetite was appeased, he would content himself with simply examining every piece of food that 
was provided, and then retiring to his favourite perch he would quietly regard the contentions of his subjects, 
apparently thoroughly disgusted by their gluttony. When, however, lie was “ sharp ” like the rest, his 
excitement increased as the hour drew near, till at last, when the basket containing his loathsome repast 
appeared in sight, he positively danced with delight ; and small indeed were the portions that would 
have fallen to the share of his companions in captivity had their interests not been looked after by 
the attendant. There never was a better illustration of the old Scotch saying, “ He needs a lang spune 
that sups wi’ the De’il.” 
