THE RAVEN, 45 
on the head, so fastened as to let the beak project 
from the forehead.* 
The American Raven is a scarce bird in some dis- 
tricts, it being seldom seen, and consequently its 
character but little known. The European species is 
more abundant, and is often a very familiar bird. 
They are said to live to a great age, and the same 
pair have been known to resort to one spot to build 
for many successive years. 
It is remarkable for having been the first living 
creature that left the ark after the flood; and as an 
instance of the great powers of wing of which it is 
possessed, we read that while the Dove which was 
afterward released could find no rest for the sole of 
her foot, and returned again to the ark, the Raven 
went to and fro upon the face of the earth until the 
waters were dried up. 
Young Ravens may be tamed so as to become very 
amusing pets, but require almost constant watching, 
as they are mischievous and greatly addicted to thiev- 
ing. <A gentleman’s butler having missed a number 
of silver spoons and other articles, without a suspi- 
cion as to who might be the thief, at last discovered 
a tame Raven with one in his mouth, and after fol- 
lowing him to his hiding-place, found more than a 
dozen.t They are, however, gifted with some good 
qualities, being often possessed with a marked affec- 
tion toward other animals, and also toward those with 
whom they have become familiar. A curious instance 
of attachment in a Raven is related as having occurred 
* Stanley’s “‘ Familiar History of Birds.” 7 Ibid. 
