156 ORNITPIOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



prise, they inculcate in their offspring early 

 habits of independence, and appear to superin- 

 tend their education in the art of flying. 



When fully able to shift for themselves the 

 young family are left to their own resources, 

 and the original proprietors of the eyrie return 

 to the fir clump, and haunt the park throughout 

 the greater portion of the year. During very 

 severe weather, accompanied by frost and snow, 

 the raven is sadly puzzled to procure an honest 

 subsistence in this neighbourhood: he is by na- 

 ture a scavenger, not a poacher: his structure 

 entirely adapts him for fulfilling the duties and 

 satisfying the wants of the former calling. Un- 

 provided with hooked beak or prehensile claws, 

 he seeks not to attack any living creature as long 

 as a dead animal remains on the surface of the 

 earth. Then, indeed, his hard, conical bill, his 

 keen sense of smell, piercing sight, and goule-like 

 appetite, stand him in good stead; but if, during 

 long-continued frost, he should happen still to 

 linger for awhile in this neighbourhood, he looks 

 the very picture of despair, as in pensive attitude 

 and with muffled plumage, his dusky figure may 

 be noticed perched on some withered bough 

 Then, indeed, 



" Othello's occupation 's gone," 

 and in his hour of need he may occasionally 



