RAVEN. 229 



monly exposed on the outskirts, it has been 

 recorded to be their habit. In the vknnity of 

 Edinburgh there formerly existed one or two 

 eyeries, one on the Castle rock, another on 

 Arthur Seat, &c. We have seen a pair perch 

 early in the morning on the chimneys of St 

 James' Square, but at no time have we been 

 aware of their being attracted within the precincts 

 of the city by the presence of carrion or any 

 offal. 



When reared from the nest, the Raven becomes 

 extremely familiar, and in a stable or court-yard 

 is even of some use, seldom allowing a rat to 

 escape ; but their instinct here does not teach 

 them selection, and a young puppy, or early 

 poultry, are not respected more than vermin. 

 The power of pronouncing words and sentences 

 also makes them more frequently tamed, and their 

 articulation is so distinct, that many mistakes 

 have in consequence happened, while the anec- 

 dotes related of them are still more numerous. 



Its geographical distribution is extremely wide, 

 pretty generally spread over the mountainous 

 parts of Europe ; it extends also to Northern Asia, 

 and according to Temminck it is found in Japan. 

 In North America, it is not an unfrequent bird, 

 becoming more plentiful towards the north, and 

 abounding in the fur countries. It is noticed by 

 almost all our northern travellers. 



There is little difference between the sexes 

 except in size, the male being slightly larger, 

 and having the lanceolate feathers on the head 



