6 THE MEXICAN RAVEN. 
Of all students of bird-life in the West, Captain Bendire has enjoyed the 
best opportunities for the study of the Raven; and his situation at Camp Har- 
ney in eastern Oregon was very similar to such as may be found in the south- 
eastern part of our own State. Of this species,as observed at that point, he says : 
“They are stately and rather sedate-looking birds, remain mated thru 
life, and are seemingly very much attached to each other, but apparently more 
unsocial to others of their kind. On the ground their movements are delib- 
foes 
Taken near Wallula. THE RAVEN’S FIEF. Photo by the Author. 
erate and dignified; their walk is graceful and seldom varied by hurried hops 
or jumps. They appear to still better advantage on the wing, especially in 
winter and early spring, when pairs may be frequently seen playing with each 
other, performing extraordinary feats in the air, such as somersaults, trying 
to fly on their backs, etc. At this season they seem to enjoy life most and to 
give vent to their usually not very exuberant spirits by a series of low chuck- 
ling and gurgling notes, evidently indifferent efforts at singing. 
“Their ordinary call is a loud Craack-craack, varied sometimes by a deep 
