‘ 
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE, 5 
oaks of a peculiar growth and great value; they were tall and 
taper like firs, but standing near together had very small 
heads, only a little brush without any large limbs. About 
twenty years ago the bridge at the Toy, near Hampton Court, 
being much decayed, some trees were wanted for the repairs 
that were fifty feet long without bough, and would measure 
twelve inches diameter, at the little end. Twenty such trees 
did a purveyor find in this little wood, with this advantage, 
that many of them answered the description at sixty feet. 
These trees were sold for twenty pounds apiece. 
In the centre of this grove there stood an oak, which, 
though shapely and tall on the whole, bulged out into a large 
excrescence about the middle of the stem. On this a pair of 
ravens had fixed their residence for such a series of years, 
_ that the oak was distinguished by the title of the Raven Tree. 
Many were the attempts of the neighboring youths to get at 
this eyry: the difficulty whetted their inclinations, and each 
was ambitious of surmounting the arduous task. But, when 
they arrived at the swelling, it jutted out so in their way, and 
was so far beyond their grasp, that the most daring lads were 
awed, and acknowledged the undertaking to be too hazardous: 
so the ravens built on, nest upon nest, in perfect security, till 
the fatal day arrived in which the wood was to be levelled. 
It was in the month of February, when these birds usually sit. 
The saw was applied to the but, the wedges were inserted 
into the opening, the woods echoed to the heavy blow of the 
beetle or mallet, the tree nodded to its fall; but still the 
mother-bird sat on. At last, when it gave way, she was 
flung from her nest; and, though her parental affection 
‘ deserved a better fate, was whipped down by the twigs, which 
brought her dead to the ground. 
