THE RAVEN. 



101 



THE RAVEN. 



Among the ancients the Eaven was esteemed a bird of much import 

 ance in augury ; 

 and the various 

 changes and modu- 

 lations of its voice 

 were studied with 

 the greatest atten- 

 tion, and were too 

 often used by de- 

 signing men to 

 mislead the un- 

 wary. 



It frequents the 

 neighborhood of 

 great towns ; where 

 it is useful in de- 

 vouring carrion 

 and filth, which it 

 scents at a vast 

 distance. It is a 

 cunning bird, and 

 generally careful 

 in keeping beyond 

 the reach of a 

 gun. 



When brought up young, the Eaven becomes very familiar ; and, 

 in a domestic state, he possesses many qualities that render hira 

 highly amusing. Busy, inquisitive, and impudent, he goes every- 

 where, affronts and drives off the dogs, plays his tricks on the 

 poultry, and is particularly assiduous in cultivating the good will oi 

 the cook-maid, who is generally his favorite in the family. But, 

 with these amusing qualities, he often also has the vices and defects 

 of a favorite. He is a glutton by nature, and a thief by habit. He 

 does not confine himself to petty depredations on the pantry or the 

 larder; he aims at more magnificent plunder — at spoils which he can 

 neither exhibit nor enjoy, but which, like a miser, he rests satisfied 

 with having the satisfaction of sometimes visiting and contemplating 

 in secret. A piece of money, a teaspoon, or a ring, is always a 

 tempting bait to his avarice : these he will slily seize upon, and, if 

 not watched, will carry to some hiding-place. 



Mr. Montagu was informed by a gentleman, that his butler, having 

 missed many silver spoons, and other articles, without being able to 

 account for the mode in which they disappeared, at last observed a 

 tame Eaven that was kept about the house, with one in his mouth, 

 and, on watching him to his hiding-place, discovered there upwards 

 of a dozen more. 



THE RAVEN. 



