THE NORTHERN RAVEN. 
to 
ALTHO nowhere abundant, in the sense which obtains among smaller 
species, nor as widely distributed as some, there is probably no other bird 
which has attracted such universal attention, or has left so deep an impress 
upon history and literature as the Raven. Primitive man has always felt the 
spell of his sombre presence, and the Raven was as deeply imbedded in the folk- 
lore of the maritime Grecian tribes as he is today in that of the Makahs and 
Quillayutes upon our own coast. Kora, the Greek called him, in imitation of 
his hoarse cry, Kraack, kraack; while the Sanskrit name, Karava, reveals the 
ancient root from which have sprung both Crow and Raven. 
Ouick-sighted, cunning, and audacious, this bird of sinister aspect has 
been invested by peoples of all ages with a mysterious and semi-sacred char- 
acter. His ominous croakings were thought to have prophetic import, while 
his preternatural shrewdness has made him, with many, a symbol of divine 
knowledge. We may not go such lengths, but we are justified in placing this 
bird at the head of our list; and we must agree with Professor Alfred 
Newton that the Raven is “the largest of the Birds of the Order Passeres, 
and probably the most highly developed of all Birds.” 
The Raven is a bird of the wilderness; and, in spite of all his cunning, 
he fares but ill in the presence of breech-loaders and iconoclasts. While 
it has not been the object of any special persecution in Washington, it seems 
to share the fate reserved for all who lift their heads above the common 
level; and it is now nearly confined in its local distribution to the Olympic 
peninsula; and is nowhere common, save in the vicinity of the Indian villages 
which still cling to our western shore. 
In appearance the Raven presents many ports of difference from the 
Common Crow, especially when contrasted with the dwarf examples of the 
northwestern race. It is not only larger, but its tail is relatively much longer, 
and fully rounded. ‘The head, too, is fuller, and the bill proportionately 
stouter with more rounded culmen. The feathers of the neck are loosely 
arranged, resulting in an impressive shagginess; and there is a sort of un- 
couthness about these ancient birds, as compared with the more dapper Crow. 
Ravens are unscrupulous in diet, and therefrom has arisen much of the 
dislike which has attached to them. They not only subsist upon insects, 
worms, frogs, shellfish, and cast-up offal, but devour the eggs and young of 
sea-birds ; and, when pressed by hunger, do not scruple to attack rabbits, young 
lambs, or seal pups. In fact, nothing fleshly and edible comes amiss to them. 
In collecting along the sea-coast I once lost some sandpipers,—which I had 
not had time to prepare the evening before—because the dark watcher was 
“up first’. Like the Fish Crow, they hang about the Indian villages to some 
