128 
COUVID.E. 
To one, however, I must allude, namely, the Ijelief that the 
liaveii is immediately attracted to a house where a corpse is 
lying. Often, under such circumstances, I used to he exceed- 
ingly perplexed at seeing one or more of these dismal-looking 
birds upon the roof, and it was only upon at last observing 
one pounce upon a chicken and make off with it that the truth 
became apparent. In most parts of Shetland the cottages 
are isolated, so that when the inhabitants of one of them are 
out of sight the immediate neighbourhood is perfectly quiet- 
Xow as soon as a death occurs the door is shut, and, with 
very few exceptions, scarcely a human being is to be seen ; 
therefore the Eavens, availing themselves of the favourable 
opportunity, alight fearlessly and carry off whatever may first 
present itself. It is doubtless for much the same reason, the 
Shetlanders being most regular in their attendance at kirk, 
that Eavens do far more harm on Sunday than on any other 
day of the week. 
Like the raj)torial birds, Eavens pair for life. As early as 
January they begin to frequent the locality in which they 
Ijred during the previous spring, soon afterwards commencing 
the necessary repairs of the former nest, or, if it has been 
seriously injured by the winter’s gales, building another uj^on 
the old foundation. If, however, the nest has been much dis- 
turbed, or if the young were removed during the previous season, 
it frequently haptiens that a new site is chosen, though seldom 
at any great distance. There being no trees in Shetland save 
only the few which have been planted in the gardens, a high cliff 
is always resorted to, sometimes iidand; but the nests are invari- 
ably difficult of access. I have only been able to reach three, 
and could not have got near these without a rope. Sometimes 
the nest is situated in a wide crevice, oftener iqoon a ledge ; 
but in either case it is screened from observation from above 
by overhanging rocks. It is of large size, and is comptosed of 
dry sea- weed, withered plants, and heather twigs, and is lined 
with wool, over which is placed a large quantity of hair of 
cows or ponies ; the cavity, which is seldom very regularly 
i 
