LKTTR XLV. 



benumbed by the intense cold f the polar regions; 

 although, like many other animals in those parts, he 

 changes his colour and acquires a whiter plumage. 

 That a bird which is so little affected by nny incon- 

 veniences of climate should be universally diffused, 

 is nothing wonderful ; and accordingly we find the 

 raven an inhabitant of every region of the globe. 

 The sagacity of this bird is equal to his strength and 

 wigor; and when tamed he is capable of receiving in- 

 struction in a wonderful manner, and of performing 

 things almost incredible. He may be trained to fowl- 

 ing like a hawk, taught to fetch and carry like a dog, 

 to speak like a parrot, and what is still more extraor- 

 dinary, to imitate any vocal music. A modern author 

 of great repute says he has heard a raven sing a song 

 with great distinctness, truth and humour. 



The raven, when entertained as a domestic, has in- 

 deed many amusing qualities. Being inquisitive and 

 impudent, he visits every corner, affronts the dogs, 

 drives the cats from one place to another, plays his 

 pranks among the poultry, teazes every animal around 

 him, and is a constant attendant on the cook-maid* 

 She indeed is his principal favorite, and to her his at- 

 tachment is unalterable; although he does not hesi- 

 tate to incur her displeasure by snatching from her a 

 delicate morsel. When wild the raven is a voracious 

 plunderer, when domesticated he is by nature a glut- 

 ton, and by habit a thief; he purloins every thing to 

 gratify his appetite, and even hoards what he cannot 

 convert to any use; for tea-spoons, rings, and 

 pieces of money are often found in his secret treasury. 



The longevity of the raven is equal to that of any 

 of the feathered race, or perhaps of any other animal; 

 for birds are in general supposed to live longer than 

 quadrupeds; the raven has been known to live more 

 than a hundred years, and, indeed, as it is endowed 

 with a robust constitution, a good appetite, and great 

 activity, it seems to possess all the qualities conducive 

 to long life, 



From the remotest antiquity a number of supersti- 

 tious notions respecting this bird hare prevailed, 



