134 RAVEN. 



plumage is black, with a greenish tinge above and white 

 beneath. The outer quill-feathers are white at the end. 

 All the tail-feathers, except the four middle ones, are 

 white and black at the base. The bill is of a dirty 

 yellowish-white, except the protuberance, the greater part 

 of which is black. This is rounded above, sharp-edged 

 forwards, and the hinder part reaches to the crown of the 

 head behind the eyes. 



8. CROW TRIBE. 



The Crows constitute a numerous and mischievous 

 tribe. They generally associate in flocks, and form their 

 nests in trees. Their food is either animal or vegetable 

 as necessity or circumstances allow. 



Raven. The constitution of this predacious bird seems 

 equally adapted to every climate. No animal food, how- 

 ever putrid, comes amiss to him. When pressed by 

 hunger, he will devour dried skins, and even the most 

 fetid substances. Ravens live in pairs, and build their 

 nests in high trees, or on lofty and inaccessible rocks ; 

 the female laying five or six bluish-green eggs, spotted 

 with brown. On these, it is said, the male sometimes sits 

 during the day-time, and the female in the night. They 

 are very careful in the rearing of their young ones. Ra- 

 vens are long-lived : some have been known to live more 

 than fifty years. They are easily rendered tame and fami- 

 liar, but in this state are oftentimes very mischievous and 

 troublesome. They steal and hide whatever they are 

 able to carry away ; and exhibit many traits of dexterity 

 and cunning* They may be instructed in the art of fowl- 

 ing, may be taught to fetch and carry, and even to speak. 

 This they frequently do with great ease and distinctness. 



