80 
THE RAVEN. 
more intense by long years of happiness in each other’s society. In this 
manner they may recall the pleasing remembrance of their youthful days, 
recount the events of their life, and express the pleasure they enjoy. 
Now, their matins are over ; the happy pair are seen to glide towards the 
earth in spiral lines ; they alight on the boldest summit of a rock, so high 
that you can scarcely judge of their actual size ; they approach each other, 
their bills meet, and caresses are exchanged as tender as those of the gentle 
Turtle Dove. Far beneath, wave after wave dashes in foam against the 
impregnable sides of the rocky tower, the very aspect of which would be 
terrific to almost any other creatures than the sable pair, which for years 
have resorted to it, to rear the dearly-cherished fruits of their connubial 
love. Midway between them and the boiling waters, some shelving ledge 
conceals their eyrie. To it they now betake themselves, to see what dam- 
age it has sustained from the peltings of the winter tempests. Off they fly 
to the distant woods for fresh materials with which to repair the breach ; 
or on the plain they collect the hair and fur of quadrupeds ; or from the 
sandy beach pick up the weeds that have been washed there. By degrees, 
the nest is enlarged and trimmed, and when everything has been rendered 
clean and comfortable, the female deposits her eggs, and begins to sit upon 
them, while her brave and affectionate mate protects and feeds her, and at 
intervals takes her place. 
All around is now silent save the hoarse murmur of the waves, or the 
whistling sounds produced by the flight of the waterfowl travelling towards 
the northern regions. At length the young burst the shell, when the careful 
parents, after congratulating each other on the happy event, disgorge some 
half-macerated food, which they deposit in their tender mouths. Should the 
most daring adventurer of the air approach, he is attacked with fury and 
repelled. As the young grow up, they are urged to be careful and silent : — ■ 
a single false movement might precipitate them into the abyss below; a 
single cry during the absence of their parents might bring upon them the 
remorseless claws of the swift Peregrine or Jerfalcon. The old birds them- 
selves seem to improve in care, diligence, and activity, varying their course 
when returning to their home, and often entering it when unexpected. The 
young are now seen to stand on the edge of the nest ; they flap their wings, 
and at length take courage and fly to some more commodious and not distant 
lodgment. Gradually they become able to follow their parents abroad, and 
at length search for maintenance in their company, and that of others, until 
the period of breeding arrives, when they separate in pairs, and disperse. 
Notwithstanding all the care of the Raven, his nest is invaded wherever it 
is found. His usefulness is forgotten, his faults are remembered and multi- 
plied by imagination ; and whenever he presents himself he is shot at, because 
