228 RAVEN. 



are offered for its destruction. This, indeed, is 

 almost the only check on their own multiplication. 

 The strength of the bird itself renders it a match 

 for most of its open enemies. Carrion is at all 

 times eagerly sought after, and any circumstances 

 which produce its presence, at the same time attracts 

 these turds from their more usual haunts in the 

 neighbourhood. In some of our Scottish deer 

 forests, now mostly let for the sport of deer-stalking, 

 we are told that the numbers which collect soon 

 after the season has commenced, is in some parts 

 almost incredible. They are drawn there by the 

 spots where the deer have fallen, and by the ani- 

 mals which have escaped wounded, and which 

 have either died, or from their weak and sickly 

 state can be attacked without fear. Dr Richard- 

 son, speaking of its habits in the fur countries, 

 says,* " The experienced native, when he sees 

 from afar a flock of Ravens wheeling in small 

 circles, knows that a party of his countrymen, 

 well provided with venison, are encamped on the 

 spot, or that a band of wolves are preying on the 

 carcass of some of the larger quadrupeds, and 

 pushes on briskly in the certain prospect of 

 having his wants supplied ;" and thus in another 

 way is a knowledge of their habits made subser- 

 vient to the necessities of man. Ravens ara also 

 said occasionally to frequent the vicinity of towns, 

 hut in Britain this is far from being frequent, 

 though near some of the cities and villages on the 

 Continent, where dead animals are more com- 

 * Northern Zoology, ii. p. 290. 



