RAVEN. 33 
view of the field of action; the shot was hardly fired, when 
it darted out from its retreat, and seizing one of the dead 
or wounded Sparrows, hurried back to its hiding-place. I 
have often witnessed the whole scene.’ And again, the fol- 
lowing communicated to him by Mr. R. Ball:—‘When a boy 
at school, a tame Raven was very attentive in watching our 
cribs or bird- -traps, and when a bird was taken, he endeavoured 
to catch it by turning up the crib, but in so doing the bird 
always escaped, as the Raven could not let go the crib in 
time to seize it. After several vain attempts of this kind, 
the Raven, seeing another bird caught, instead of going at 
once to the crib, went to another fie Raven, and induced 
it to accompany him, when the one lifted up the crib, and 
the other bore the poor captive off in triumph.’ 
Ravens often fly at a considerable height in the air, and 
perform various circling evolutions and frolicksome somersets: 
the sound produced by the action of their wings is heard at 
some distance. They hop on the ground in a sidelong sort 
of manner and make rapid advances; if in haste, making use 
of the help of the wings; and at other times walk sedately. 
The present is a very voracious bird, and whatever the 
sense be by which the Vultures are attracted to their food, 
by the same, in equal perfection, is the Raven directed to its 
meal, with unerring precision. It too is as patient in hunger 
as they are, but when an abundance of food comes in its way, 
like Captain Dalgetty, it makes the most of the opportunity, 
and lays in a superabundant stock of ‘provant.’ It performs 
the same useful part that those birds do, in devouring much 
which might otherwise be prejudical. 
Live stock as well, however, it stows away; weak sheep and 
lambs it cruelly destroys, as also poultry: hence its destruction 
by shepherds and others, and hence again its consequent shy- 
ness and resort to some place of refuge. The eggs of other 
birds it also eats, watching its opportunity when the birds 
are absent; it transfixes them with its bill, and thus easily 
conveys them away: those of Cormorants even, it has been 
seen flying off with. Leverets, rabbits, rats, reptiles, shell-fish, 
which, Wilson says, it drops from a considerable height in 
the. air on the rocks, in order to break: the shells; worms, 
insects, caterpillars, and sometimes, it is said, grain: carrion, 
whether fish, flesh, or fowl, it likewise devours. I have often 
seen these birds searching the sea shore for any such waifs 
and strays. 
VOL, I, | D 
