( n« ) 



CHAPTER IX. 



Ravens. — Occasionally desert their young. — Predacious Habits. — Saga- 

 city. — Various Anecdotes. — Crows and Rooks. — Characters of each. — 

 Tame Crow. — Meetings, or Councils, of Crows, Herons, Magpies, &c. 

 — Whether Rooks are beneficial or injurious to the Farmer. — Hard 

 Winters favourable to Insects. — Rookeries. — Red-legged Crow. — 

 Jackdaws. — Jays and Magpies. 



To a superficial observer of nature, there may appear a much 

 greater resemblance and connection between the Raven, the 

 Crow, the Rook, and Jackdaw, than we find from experience 

 to be the case. At the same time, so different in outward 

 appearance are the Jay and Magpie, that it may appear con- 

 trary to all rule to class them together under one head — but 

 while there is a decided mark of separation between each and 

 all of them in many respects, they nevertheless are by natural- 

 ists included in the first section of what is called the genus 

 or family of Crows. The Raven, however, from his size and 

 character, naturally takes the lead. Go where we will over 

 the face of the wide world, and the well-known hoarse croak 

 of the Raven is still to be heard. He w r as seen perched on the 

 bare rocks, looking over the dreary snows of the highest points 

 visited in the Arctic expeditions. Under the burning sun of 

 the equator he enjoys his feast of carrion. He was discovered 

 in the islands of the Pacific Ocean by Captain Cook ; and in 

 the lowest southern or Antarctic regions, other travellers have 

 found him pursuing his cautious predatory life, just as in 

 England. 



With us he may be called the herald of the year ; for, as 

 early as the latter end of January, if the weather be mild, or 

 at all events in the beginning of February, some faithful pair 

 (for the union of the male and female is for life) may be 



