RAVEN. 533- 
bird in most of the larger islands; but in Asia it frequents the Hima- 
layas. In the Nearctic Region it is found as far north as lat. 811°, and 
extends southwards to Mexico, Guatemala, and possibly to Honduras. 
It is found in all suitable localities throughout South Russia, Asia Minor, 
Palestine, Turkestan, Persia, Afghanistan, and Cashmere, wintering in 
Scind and the plains of the Punjab. Eastwards it is found throughout 
the valley of the Amoor, the Ussuri, the island of Askold, and the Kurile 
Islands. 
If we regard those birds which have the feathers of the throat long 
and narrow and the wings elongated (the first primary longer than the 
innermost secondaries, and the second primary intermediate between the 
fifth and sixth) as Ravens, then the nearest relation to the Raven will 
be Corvus umbrinus from Palestine, North-east Africa, and Baluchistan. 
This species differs from the Common Raven in having the black of the 
head and neck all round glossed with reddish purple instead of green or 
bluish purple. 
The only other near allies of the Raven having the same wing-formula 
are :—C. afinis from North-east Africa and Palestine, which differs from 
our Raven in being much smaller, in having very long secondaries, and in 
having the upper nasal bristles pointed upwards; and C. tingitanus from 
North-west Africa, the Canary Islands, and Madeira, also differing in its 
much smaller size (although it retains the large bill of the Raven) and in 
wanting the hackles on the breast. In South Africa south of the Sahara 
and in Madagascar a Pied Raven occurs, C. scapulatus, with the pattern of 
colour similar to the C. torquatus of China, but with the white on the 
breast extending to the belly. 
One of the best places in the British Islands to study the Raven’s habits 
is the Western Isles of Scotland. Here, no matter what the season of the 
year, when strolling over the breezy mountain-sides knee-deep in heather 
you will often meet with the Raven in your wanderings, and his hoarse 
croak will resound amongst the rocks as he flies off to a safer retreat. Lower 
down the valley you may expect to meet him on the broad sheep-pastures, 
or searching the outskirts of the birch-woods by the side of the burns. 
You are almost sure to see him by the ocean, either as he sails out from his 
home in the tall cliffs or, more frequently, as he searches the beach for 
garbage thrown up by the restless waves. To view the Raven in his 
haunts will take you amongst the grandest mountain-scenery in our islands. 
He is found on the wide-stretching moors in company with the Red 
Grouse; he haunts the bare mountain-tops where the Ptarmigan crouch 
like stones amongst the rocks, and also the bare plains, where an almost 
boundless view can be obtained. When not so sorely persecuted, the 
Raven was an inhabitant of more woodland districts ; and a pair was often 
considered the pride and the pest of the parish, generally choosing for 
