THE KAVEX. 
125 
since the destruction of some valuable dogs by its incautious 
use. Not long ago, a paymenl of threepence was offered for 
every Haven’s bead and twopence for the bead of every Hooded 
Crow. Tins answered well until the responsible parties, bnd- 
ing the evil so far remedied, and regardless of the future, 
deliberately refused to band over the promised reward. The 
natural result is that the pest is now as great as ever, the people 
declining to enter again into so uii])rofitable a speculation. 
With all its cunning, however, the over exercise of that quality 
sometimes proves the bird’s destruction. For example, a friend 
of mine, wishing to destroy a troublesome Eaven, set a rat-gin 
near its haunts, covering it carefully with fine mould, and 
leaving only the bait exposed. But the bird was not to be 
thus deceived ; be would walk round the trap, and even hover 
above it, as though about to make the fatal pounce, the demon- 
stration invariably resulting in his retiring to a small hillock 
close at hand, from whence he seemed to fancy he could eye 
the tempting morsel in safety. This state of things lasted for 
two days, when my friend slyly buried the trap in the hillock, 
neatly covering it with moss, but leaving the bait in its old 
place. Scarcely had he left the spot when the Eaven came 
circling over the bait, and, alighting upon the hiU to recon- 
noitre, was instantly caught by the feet. 
It is by no means difficult to get within shooting distance 
of young birds, but the old ones are extremely wary, especially 
in those parts where guns are much in use. Even when they 
are feeding upon carrion at the foot of a wall, it is not often 
that they can be approached, for they are so suspicious that 
they will constantly interrupt their meal to rise upon wing 
for a yard or two; when, if the expectant gunner be observed, 
his chance is lost. Occasionally, however, this habit defeats its 
own purpose ; for when there happens to be any place of con- 
cealment within a hundred yards or so of the spot, it is easy 
to run up as the bird disappears, and thus make certain of a 
shot. In a case of this kind, the Eaven is sadly taken aback, 
and seldom fails to utter a confused croaking sound as he 
