48 
Messrs. H. H. Slater and T. Carter's 
feathers. We obtained, about the same time, young flyers in 
a very interesting stage of plumage, which has been described 
by Professor Newton in f Yarrell/ ed. 4, vol. ii., but, so far 
as we know, nowhere figured. 
Raven. (Corvus corax.) 
We were, of course, too late for the eggs of this bird, but 
we took young birds, almost fledged, from a nest on June 30; 
they were four in number, and had been fed on birds' eggs 
(mostly, apparently, those of the Whimbrel and Golden 
Plover) and berries, which, from their colour, could only have 
been those of Empetrum. Ravens seem to get a good many 
of the Ptarmigan's eggs; on two occasions we found one 
lying in the woods so neatly sucked as to make pretty good 
specimens. The Whimbrels used to attack the black robbers 
fearlessly when they came near their nests, as Peewits do 
Rooks at home. As there is a much greater disparity in size 
in the former case, and, apparently, a less effective weapon 
(for it is difficult to imagine a more incapable instrument than 
the Whimbrel's bill, from a warlike point of view), this speaks 
volumes for the pluck of the Whimbrel. As long as the 
Raven kept on the ground, the Whimbrels did the same. 
But as soon as we approached the Raven and it occurred to 
him that he had better move, the Whimbrels dashed at him 
as soon as he was on the wing, and appeared almost to tumble 
him over, and he soon was glad to take to earth again in a 
most undignified manner. Then the Whimbrels, after a stoop 
or two at his head, which he met by ducking and croaking, 
perched on hummocks and watched him as before. This 
seemed to be the usual procedure ; but the Raven appeared to 
be ready to put up with the kicks as long as he got the half¬ 
pence—to wit, the eggs. Amongst the scores of Ravens we 
saw, we did not observe a single pied specimen. 
■'f* White-tailed Eagle. (Haliaetus albicilla.) 
An egg of the season was brought in to ns. 
4 Iceland Falcon. (.Hierofalco islandus .) 
We saw several, and eggs which had been taken earlier were 
brought to us. 
