RAVEN. 
225 
the nest is placed, formed of an immense mass of 
sticks, warmly and compactly lined inside with 
hair or wool ; or if, on the face of the cliff, some 
aged and time-worn tree still remains, and can 
afford a sufficient resting-place for the heavy 
fabric, it is sometimes selected, but in general the 
rock itself is preferred. These eyeries are returned 
to year after year, and the same spot is again 
chosen, as is the case with many of the rap- 
tores ; particular crags and woods have received 
their names from the presence of these nesting 
places ; and it is not uncommon, particularly 
in the south of Scotland, for the rock which 
affords an eyery to the Peregrine Falcon, to 
be also tenanted by the Raven. In England, the 
breeding place is more frequently selected on 
trees, from the want, undoubtedly, of suitable 
cliffs ; but all along the rugged coasts, and in 
mountainous districts, the latter seem to be pre- 
ferred, and, so far as we are aware, this is the 
case in the north of Europe, where the species is 
also abundant. The Raven is one of our earliest 
breeders, commencing in a mild season in the 
beginning of February. Where the birds have 
been undisturbed, the nest may be easily ap- 
proached, but after alarm they become extremely 
wary, at the commencement of their incubation 
soaring in circles at a great height above the 
intruders, uttering at short intervals their hoarse 
and singularly sounding croak. As their cares 
increase, they become less timorous, and cross 
and recross the situation of the nest, when it is 
p 
