RAVEN. 
221 
The Raven is one of our earliest breeders, and fre¬ 
quently rears its young ones under some of our most 
inclement skies. The eggs are four or five in number, 
and go through two or three varieties intermediate to 
the figures of the plate; some are distinctly and more 
sparingly spotted and resemble somewhat eggs of the 
jackdaw. 
Mr. Newton has sent me the following graphical notes : 
“ A pair of these birds breed annually in this neigh¬ 
bourhood, and I naturally take great interest in them, 
and have thus become acquainted with much of thier 
history for some years past. 
“ When undisturbed they have usually refurnished 
their last year’s nest, always lining it neatly with rab¬ 
bits’ down. It is built on one of some lofty Scotch 
fir-trees standing far out on a heath. The number of 
eggs laid is generally five, but I have known them to 
be content with four ; while, on the other hand, six 
were once deposited. While the hen is sitting, the ac¬ 
tions of the male bird are well worth watching: he 
dashes indiscriminately at any bird that approaches, 
be it stock dove or perigrine falcon, and when the 
intruder has been utterly routed, he shoots back to the 
nest, celebrating his victory by a sonorous croak, turn¬ 
ing, as he utters it, completely over on his back, an 
action which does not, however, in the least degree im¬ 
pede his onward career. He then resumes his look-out 
station on one of the highest boughs, perhaps leaving 
it again at the expiration of a few minutes to repel 
another invasion.” 
